Wisdom from Above, Vol. 2BOOK REVIEW
By Stanley O. Williford
Director of Publications
In Philippians 3:14, Paul wrote:
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
That verse introduces the first chapter of Dr. Betty R. Price’s book Wisdom from Above, Vol. 2. The chapter is titled The High Calling of God, and the reason becomes clear as one continues to read.
We are called to be pure, which means “being clean, modest, pure, undefiled, morally faultless, and without blemish,” Dr. Betty writes.
“Our total lifestyle should be lived as a praise to God. Whatever we do, if God cannot get the glory out of it, we should not be doing it.”
She cites First Peter 2:9, which emphasizes that Christians are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
But how does one remain pure when the world is pushing them away from purity and urging them to do their own thing? How does one remain pure when most of the media, including movies, television, popular music, and even friends are saying that being impure is not where the good times roll?
In Ephesians 4:24, we are taught to . . . put on the new man [or woman] which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Are God’s and Dr. Betty’s words falling on deaf ears?
One of the great pitfalls, Dr. Betty emphasizes often when she speaks to women’s groups, is the issue of fornication.
“I talk against fornication just about every time I minister because it is still so prevalent among the body of Christ.”
Why is fornication so bad? you ask. She quotes a passage the Spirit-Filled Life Bible to explain:
“. . . sexuality reaches into the depths of one’s being. It goes further than the body. Because of God’s resurrection design for the body, an essential identity exists between the present physical body and the future glorified body.
“Sexual intercourse is more than a biological experience. It involves a communion of life. Since Jesus is one with the believer’s spirit, you are causing Him to be involved in immorality [if you get involved in sex outside of marriage]. Sexuality is a uniquely profound aspect of the personality, involving one’s whole being. Sexual immorality has far-reaching effects and great spiritual significance and social complication.
“Such immorality is not a sin against the body; it is a sin against the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the body.”
Let’s jump briefly to Chapter 5, which is titled Fulfilling Your Purpose as a Christian Woman, where she deals with sexual immorality again:
“Sometimes women decide that they are not going to get married. I have even seen where some women have gone out and deliberately got [sic] pregnant, saying, ‘Well, I’m not going to have a husband, so I [might] just as well pick out a man that I would like to be the father of my child.’ They select some guy because he had money or he was good-looking. That is human philosophy at work. A man is not a father just because he makes you pregnant. A father is a man who is going to be around to raise that child and look after the mother. This is a man who will marry you.”
Chapter 2 is titled The Call to Serve, and Dr. Betty makes it clear immediately that every born-again person should own up to this call. There is always a place to get involved. Most churches have a need for ushers, hostesses, prayer room and nursery workers, choir members, and volunteers in various other areas.
“In comparison to the total church membership, there are just too few people who actually serve in their churches,” Dr. Betty writes. She equates such service with serving the Lord.
“It is a blessing to serve the Lord. Jesus tells us that if we serve Him, His Father will honor us. Since Jesus is not here for us to serve Him directly, the way we serve Him is by serving one another with a sincere love.”
Romans 12:15-16 says:
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
In this second chapter, she deals with the idea of submission. She quotes Ephesians 5:22, which says, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Most people don’t like the word submit. However, submission is an act of love, especially when you do it as unto the Lord. Submission doesn’t mean taking an inferior position or role. It’s just that God has ordained it that somebody has to be the head, and somebody has to follow. God placed women in the position to be submissive to their husbands, who are, or ought to be, the heads of the households. The rank is: God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, then man, woman, and the children.”
Subsequent chapters include: Growing in Godliness; Overcoming Temptations, Trials and Tests; Fulfilling Your Purpose as a Christian Woman; How to Walk in the Blessings of God as a Family; The Truly Liberated Christian, Confessions for Success.
There is so much good stuff in this book that it would be a mistake to think it can only appeal to women. No, this wisdom has universal application. Men would benefit from reading Wisdom from Above, both volumes one [which was reviewed in July 2018] and two. It would help them gain a greater understanding of the issues that women face.
Buy this hardback book for yourself or someone you care for dearly.
https://eifm.netviewshop.com/shopDetail/BPB5
