Wisdom and Freedom SG.

Exceptions to the rules of God’s Will:

1: God’s Sovereign Will:

Unknowable so it is not something we seek, rather it is something we submit too.

2: God’s Moral Will:

Where God commands we must obey.

3: God’s Freedom Permitting Will:

a) Where there is no command God gives us both freedom and responsibility to choose.

b) Where there is freedom to choose, wisdom must be applied.

1: God’s Sovereign Will:

Deuteronomy 29:29 BSB

29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.

Exception to the Rule:

1: Prophecy

Ephesians 3:5 BSB

5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

2: Destiny.

Romans 8:29–30 BSB

29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

God’s Moral Will:

Where God commands we must obey.

Romans 14:5–6 BSB

5 One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Romans 14:14 BSB

14 I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

Romans 14:22–23 BSB

22 Keep your belief about such matters between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.

Exception to the Rule: Violating your own Conscience.

1: Exceptions to the rule are NOT general but specific to the individual.

2: A Conviction of Conscience counts as Moral Law for that individual.

3: God Freedom Permitting Will:

The 2 rules here are also simple:

a) Where there is no command God gives us both freedom and responsibility to choose.

b) Where there is freedom to choose, wisdom must be applied.

Exception to the Rule: Special Divine Instruction.

Acts 13:2–4 BSB

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 4 So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

Hosea 1:2 BSB

2 When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, “Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD.”

Wisdom and Freedom

Ecclesiastes 7:19 BSB

19 Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.

Proverbs 24:3 BSB

3 By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established;

Ecclesiastes 10:10 BSB

10 If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.

Proverbs 16:16 BSB

16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

Examples of Wisdom in decision making:

1 Thessalonians 3:1–2 NASB 2020

1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at Athens, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith,

Philippians 2:25–26 BSB

25 But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs. 26 For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

1 Corinthians 16:3–4 NASB 2020

3 When I arrive, whomever you approve, I will send them with letters to take your gift to Jerusalem; 4 and if it is appropriate for me to go also, they will go with me.

Acts 6:2–4 BSB

2 So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them 4 and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

1 Corinthians 6:1–6 BSB

1 If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Is there really no one among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers? 6 Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers!

James 1:5–6 BSB

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Ephesians 1:17 BSB

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.