1996-08-12
- Christ as Counselor
Well, today we continue with the theme of Christ as counselor and we continue with the same verse, Isaiah 9:6.
Assertion: Christ is the best Counselor; there is none like Him:
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He is the Father's choice for a Counselor to us. (1 Cor. 1:30)
It is out of wisdom and mercy that the Father has given us Christ as a Counselor
in our ruined state of sin. The greatest angel would have been too weak to
bear such a burden. But in the wisdom and mercy of the Father, He has appointed
Christ to bear our burdens. (Matt. 17:5)
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Christ is the saint's choice for a Counselor. "Whom have I in heaven but
thee? And there is none on earth I desire beside thee (Ps. 73:24).
One of the things that takes place in coming to Christ in faith and repentance
is that we renounce our own wisdom and in turn, by faith, choose Christ as
our Wisdom and Counsel.
- Christ never makes a mistake in His office as Counselor. (Prov. 30:5) Even the best earthly counselors make a mistake from time to time, but Christ, who is infinite wisdom, can make no mistake. He knows all, how could He err?
There are two chief ways that Christ is our Counselor:
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In respect to our greatest concern; The issues of Eternity. In the issues
of Eternity, making a mistake is the most fatal mistake that can be made.
Christ is our Counsel to the way of peace. In the gospel sinners are pointed
to freedom from the wrath that is to come.
- In respect to our lesser concerns. We are to ask the counsel of the Lord in all the areas of our lives (Josh 9:14). There is nothing that takes place that is not under the providence of God. We need Christ as our Counselor in the smaller things because these small things are often great in their consequences. (Prov. 3:5,6)
Inquire:
How does Christ give His counsel? Christ gives His counsel by His Word. If you want Christ's counsel you must go believingly to His Word. He makes His Word profitable to us by His Holy Spirit (John 16:13). The Word of God cannot be effective without the Spirit. The Spirit sheds light upon the Word of God and enables the believer to follow it.
Application:
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Renounce your own wisdom (Jer. 17:9, Rom. 3:10-12).
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Renounce the counsel of the world (Ps. 1:1, Eph 2:1,2). In saying
this, I want to be careful to stress that I mean we are to renounce any worldly
counsel that is out of sync with Scripture. I am not implying that we should
grab our Bibles, stick our heads in the sand, and be oblivious to all that
surrounds us. The providence of God, working in the world, is also to be
used to our advantage.
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Take Christ as your Counselor (Prov 23:26, Is. 55:4).
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Follow the counsel that Christ gives (Jn. 6:29, Ezek. 18:31).
- Make use of Him as your Counselor. Consult Him daily, pray much, study the Scriptures (Is. 28:26, Jer. 42:20).
Soli Deo Gloria,
T-
brutefact@hotmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org