James Russell, Elder
Greetings; To God’s scattered Brethren
God’s called are advised in the book of Wisdom to, “Buy the Truth, and sell it not; also [buy] Wisdom, and
[buy] Instruction, and [buy] Understanding”(Prov 23:23). Buy means, to take time out of your daily life to study
and meditate on God’s word - God’s truth ! Wisdom, Instruction, Understanding and Truth is a treasure to be
gained at any cost and never to be relinquished, whatever the temptation. The ability to see clearly the
application of principle to daily happenings requires diligent application and willingness to admit error. The
closer a called person comes to his Lord, and the more he studies the Word of God, the more his eyes are opened
to the real nature of things.
In a speech made in 1863, Abraham Lincoln said, "We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of
heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth,
and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand
which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in
the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our
own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming
and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us."
We live in a day when to many educated, have become synonymous with wisdom, but unfortunately many of
those who assume this to be true, demonstrate by their statements and activities that it is not so. Education
can equip one with a fund of information, but it does not necessarily impart understanding and prudence, which
is the attributes of Wisdom.
Wisdom grants discernment and keen sense of judgment concerning what is true and what is false in those who
lay hold upon it. Hillel II Postponements Calendar is a good example to study for what is true and what is false!
God tells us in II Tim 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.” We are told clearly in 1 Thess 5, “ Quench not the Spirit. Despise not
prophesying. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1Thess
5:19-22). Wisdom brings to bear, upon the affairs of life an excellency of understanding that enables those who
are blessed to avoid the pitfalls along the highway to God’s kingdom.
King Solomon declares if you give heed to the call of Wisdom, and seek it as for silver and search for it as for
hidden treasures, “Then shalt you understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the
LORD giveth wisdom out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding”(Prov 2:5-6).
The result will be that “When wisdom enters into your heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto your soul,
Discretion shall preserve you, understanding shall keep you”(Prov 2:10-11). Later King Solomon declared,
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding”
(Prov 9:10).
The present curriculums of our schools and colleges are completely lacking in courses of study that would lay
this kind of foundation. God is set aside, His word is ignored and His laws are not recognized and accepted.
This alone accounts for the fact that many who graduate from our institutions of higher learning show forth so
little understanding of deeper spiritually discerned philosophy of life. It is only a reverence for the Lord and a
desire to know Him and His laws that engenders the desire to acknowledge His omnipotence and let Him direct
every way of your life. This will result in the counsel given by Wisdom. " My son, forget not My law; but let
thine heart keep My commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you”(Prov
3:1-2).
Wisdom declares that riches and honor are with our Lord. These riches are not worldly wealth. Pro 8:19 makes
that plain, “My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and My revenue than choice silver.” Because this
is true, the wealth that Wisdom gives, is not like that of the world.
At death, no man can take the riches of this world with him into the grave where he is going. Wisdom passes
on through the grave into the resurrection, accompanying those who accept God’s invitation to lay hold upon
the wealth and the riches which our Creator alone can impart:
Referring to the everlasting benefits God can give, Wisdom declares, “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the
midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their
treasures“ (Prov 8:20-21). Then looking to the beginning, God exclaims, “The LORD possessed me in the
beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the
earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth” (Prov 8:22-25).
There are some things ought not to be sold at any price. Wisdom, Instruction, and understanding are all guidance
and instruction to what brings forth truth. These can only be obtained from our Creator, and are His gift to man
and us His called. They are to be obtained with out money, and are like pearls of great price (Matt 13:44-46).
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over
it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking
beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Once obtained they ought never be sold for any price!
Wisdom then summarizes her merits and offers a warning to those who reject her. “Blessed is the man that hears
Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors. For who so finds Me finds life, and shall
obtain favor of the LORD. But he that sins against Me wrongs his own soul: all they that hate Me, love death”
(Prov 8:34-9)
CHURCH OF GOD, IN TRUTH
PO, Box 1120 Kimberling City, MO 65686
Tel: 417-338-0033 Fax: 417- 338- 0031
James Russell, Elder Tel: 417-338-0033 E-mail: cogit@flash.net
Pete Fleming, Elder Tel: 830-885-5502 E-mail: pmf06@gvtc.com
Spanish:
Martin Martinez, Deacon Tel: 787-786-5856 E-mail: Marty@ucsint.com
Phillippines
Romeo Samudio, Rep Tel: 090-8536-4415 E-mail: romesamudio@yahoo.com