![]() ![]() Spiritual perception is the acquired, and not simply God given ability to make choices in view of what is moral or spiritual, what aids our spiritual nature and what does not. Wisdom too cannot be taught within a class but must be acquired through active applications of one’s knowledge and principles to making choices and decisions. In essence, it is the ability to make the right decision and to be able to evaluate what leads to human nobility or baseness. Wisdom comes not from mere intellectual understanding of facts but through direct experience of applying one’s principles into action. Knowledge leads to understanding, understanding to wisdom. "Knowledge is as wings to man’s life and a ladder for his ascent." Wisdom Information can be provided in a classroom or outside but it only becomes knowledge after a person has found the truth of that information for himself or herself through experience. To know, one needs to go beyond information to discover the facts and truths of each situation, independently and without bias investigate the truth behind all things – only then it becomes knowledge and a person "knowledgeable". ![]() For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.Knowledge is not the mere accumulation of information. John Piper ( is founder and teacher of and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. God himself has done it we are satisfied with him.” My dear daughter and I would not have her back, were it possible to produce it by the turn of a hand. Without an effort my inmost soul habitually joys in the joy of that loved departed one. I kiss continually the hand that has afflicted me. Therefore, with great confidence in the sovereign mercy of God, Müller said, “I bow, I am satisfied with the will of my Heavenly Father, I seek by perfect submission to his holy will to glorify him. If it may be, raise up yet again my precious wife - Thou are able to do it, though she is so ill but howsoever Thou dealest with me, only help me to continue to be perfectly satisfied with Thy holy will.” Thou wilt do the very best thing for her, and for me, whether life or death. ![]() He recounts how he prayed when he discovered she had rheumatic fever: “Yes, my Father, the times of my darling wife are in Thy hands. When George Müller’s wife of 39 years died, he preached her funeral sermon from the text, “Thou art good and doest good” (Psalm 119:68). And when I come to die (whether soon or late) these two truths will stand by my bed and with infinitely strong and infinitely tender hands lift me up to God. They are the hope of my future, the energy of my service, the center of my theology, the bond of my marriage, the best medicine in all my sickness, the remedy of all my discouragements. Therefore, the mercy and the sovereignty of God are the twin pillars of my life. Nothing, absolutely nothing befalls those who “love God and are called according to his purpose” but what is for our deepest and highest good (Psalm 84:11 Romans 8:28). God’s sovereignty means that this design for us cannot be frustrated. One reason this doctrine is so precious to believers is that we know that God’s great desire is to show mercy and kindness to those who trust him (Ephesians 2:7 Psalm 37:3–7 Proverbs 29:25). “Our God is in the heavens he does whatever he pleases” (Psalm 115:3). For he will complete what he appoints for me” (Job 23:13–14). “But he is unchangeable and who can turn him? What he desires, that he does. “God does according to his will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What doest thou?’” (Daniel 4:35). my counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose” (Isaiah 46:9–10). ![]() I use it to refer to this truth: God is in ultimate control of the world from the largest international intrigue to the smallest bird-fall in the forest. The word “sovereignty” (like the word “trinity”) does not occur in the Bible. But perhaps some of you would like a little biblical light on it. Last Sunday night I rejoiced to hear the blessed truth of God’s sovereignty exalted by Glen and June. ![]()
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