50 Days of Wisdom
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Wisdom is a skill in living that begins with fearing God, then progresses to guarding your mind, choosing your companions, controlling your body, monitoring your words, pursuing your work, managing your money, and loving your neighbor. Very simple. But that’s it. And when you’ve done that, you’ve learned wisdom. It’s vital to be taught wisdom. For example, as a father, if I fail to teach my son to fear God, the devil will teach him to hate God. If I fail to teach my son to guard his mind, the devil will teach him to have an open mind. If I fail to teach my son to obey his parents, the devil will teach him to rebel and break his parents’ hearts. If I fail to teach my son to select his companions carefully, the devil will choose them for him. If I fail to teach my son to control his body, the devil will gladly teach him to give it completely over to his lusts. If I fail to teach my children to enjoy speech that is honorable to God, the devil will fill their mouths with filth. If I fail to teach my children to pursue their work, the devil will make them lazy. If I fail to teach them to manage their money, the devil will teach them to waste it on riotous living. If I fail to teach them to love their neighbor, the devil will gladly teach them to love only themselves.
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Proverbs 4:5 - Acquire Wisdom!
The First Example
Let’s look at the cross from a different perspective. Not from the viewpoint of what was done that can never be done again, not the redemptive, not the single solitary unique act of Christ in satisfying the justice of God for the sins of those who believe, but let’s look at the cross for the value of its example, in the sense that it provides us in the very character and expression of Christ patterns that we are to follow. There are things about the death of Christ that are to be reproduced in our lives. Obviously, we cannot pay for the sins of all humanity. We cannot by our death satisfy the justice of God for others. We cannot offer a perfect sacrifice. We can’t, and we don’t need to, because it’s already been done. But there are some elements of the death of Christ that we must follow and reproduce. Peter says in 1 Peter 2:21, “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example to follow in His steps.” Now, in what sense is the death of Jesus Christ an example that we are to follow? Well, when Jesus was dying on the cross, Scripture records that He uttered seven different sayings. We call them the seven last words of Christ. In the seven sayings of Christ, we have seven principles or examples that we are to follow. To put it another way, in His dying we learn how to live. The first one, according to Luke 23:34, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” In that moment He was forgiving those who crucified Him. Here is an example we can follow. The principle is this: He died forgiving those who sinned against Him. Our Lord understood the sinfulness, blindness, and depravity of the human heart. He knew they were ignorant of the identity of their victim. Their sin was enormous. They were killing the Son of God. They didn’t know they were killing the Prince of Life. They didn’t know they were killing the Creator of all, the Messiah, the Lord Christ, the Savior of the world. And it shows how blind people are and how the carnal mind is at frightening odds with God. Man needs nothing more than forgiveness. And there’s no greater need than forgiveness, because it’s unforgiveness that will keep him separated from God forever. Isn’t this a marvelous example for us to follow? It matters not how people treat us, or how we may be abused, misjudged, misrepresented, falsely accused, or how our affections and our love may be returned with hatred and animosity. All that matters is that we have a heart of forgiveness. This is lesson number one on how to live: forgive. But that’s not a popular virtue in our culture, is it? Our culture is filled with vengeance. However, we’re to live with a forgiving heart toward those who wronged us, even if they wronged us in heinous ways. No one has ever been wronged to the degree that Jesus Christ has. Yet, He forgave, and He’s our pattern. Christ died forgiving the very ones who cruelly and without cause murdered Him. What a great example that is to follow. Less severe treatment, for sure, has been laid on us. Can we find it in our hearts to forgive a lesser deed to a lesser person? Well, Christ set the example for us to follow. Forgive. Repent and believe! GTY.org (80-132) - The Example of the Cross – 80-132
Today's Wisdom
January 19, 2026
Day: 846
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My name is Mark Paul from Wauchula, Florida, and like the Apostle Peter said in 2 Peter 1:14, “I know that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent." Consequently, my goal is to leave a legacy that will continue to advance the kingdom of God long after I have departed. In other words, bear fruit for eternity. And by simply reading and sharing my free eBooks, you too become contributors to the advancement of His kingdom. Thank you for partaking in this endeavor, and I look forward to greeting you on heaven's shore.
The Truth in Love,
Mark Paul - Servant of God
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