Teaching by Alex Averi, Women’s Apostolic Alliance member
Jesus Christ, who is ADONAI, has not only redeemed us and set us free, but He gives us His wisdom and understanding so that we can live our lives as we were designed to live: in union with Him and according to His plans for us. The obedience of discipline actually results in us walking in freedom, and it is our worship to ADONAI.
“ADONAI by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding he established the heavens, by his knowledge the deep [springs] burst open and the dew condenses from the sky. My son, don’t let these slip from your sight; preserve common sense and discretion; they will be life for your being and grace for your neck. Then you will walk your way securely, without hurting your foot. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Don’t be afraid of sudden terror or destruction caused by the wicked, when it comes; for you can rely on ADONAI; he will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.” (Proverbs 3:19-26)
Jesus, who is ADONAI (Philippians 2:11), has saved us: we are legally judged righteous and are not condemned. He took the ultimate “unfair” penalty in our stead, so that we can walk free.
And now in our new, redeemed lives, we are to love Him, walk in His ways, and become imitators of Christ. When people look at us as we go about our daily lives, we want them to see Jesus – indeed, for many people, we are the only Bible they will read.
When Jesus intervened in the stoning of the woman caught in adultery, he told her, “Now go, and don’t sin any more.” (John 8:11)
Proverbs 3:7 warns us, “Don’t be conceited about your own wisdom; but fear ADONAI, and turn
from evil. This will bring health to your body and give strength to your bones.”
And here’s the good news: we know we can’t live rightly in our own wisdom and on our own knowledge, opinions and impulses. But, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, ADONAI ever-so- gently alerts us and adjusts us, as we grow in Him and learn to walk in His paths. His wisdom, which looks like foolishness to the world, needs to be the foundation of our understanding, our priorities, our light, and our joy.
Psalm 119 says: “I treasure your word in my heart, so that I won’t sin against you” (verse 11); “I rejoice in the way of your instruction more than in any kind of wealth” (verse 14); “I will run in the way of your mitzvot [commands], for you have broadened my understanding” (verse 32); “I take your instruction as a permanent heritage, because it is the joy of my heart” (verse 111); “Your instruction is a wonder; this is why I follow it. Your words are a doorway that lets in light, giving understanding to the thoughtless” (verse 130)
Living righteously according to ADONAI’s ways involves an ongoing commitment from us. It is our love response to our Father, and it is our worship to live in a way that honours Him. This means discipline. The origin of this word (also as in “disciple”) is about being taught in the manner of a student, or pupil. We are called to be lifelong learners!
In Proverbs 4:13, we are urged to, “Hold fast to discipline, don’t let it go; guard it, for it is your life.”
This involves the Father correcting and adjusting us to keep us on His paths; but it also involves the notion of self-discipline. We need to commit to being constantly mindful of our thoughts, attitudes, habits, responses and choices, weighing them against the standard of His Word and His wisdom.
Why? Not only because this is how to live our ‘best’ life, but also because it is our love response to our heavenly Father – we don’t want to grieve Him.
“It is in him [Messiah] that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden” (Colossians 2:3)
And the best bit is that ADONAI gives us the wisdom and understanding that we need to live in shalom, joy, love and total freedom – through obeying Him and walking in His ways.
“Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze on what lies in front of you. Level the path for your feet, let all your ways be properly prepared; then deviate neither right nor left; and keep your foot far from evil. My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding; so that you will preserve discretion and your lips keep watch over knowledge.” (Proverbs 4:25-5:2)
