Wonderful Counselor

"For a child will be born to us ... and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor" (Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, the marvelously distinguished advisor and guide. This sampling of verses from Matthew and John reveal some of His wonderful counsel.

About life
Brevity of life: "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4).

Stability for life: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away" (Matthew 24:35).

Meaning in life: "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39).

Sense of belonging: "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50).

Being truly free: "And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32).

Understanding the root of problems: "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders" (Matthew 15:19).

Setting values: "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal" (Matthew 6:20).

Balancing responsibilities: "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21).

Being great: "Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave" (Matthew 20:26-27).

Accomplishing great things: "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move" (Matthew 17:20).

Gaining responsibility: "You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things" (Matthew 25:21).

Regarding people
General treatment: "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you" (Matthew 7:12).

Reconciliation: "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother" (Matthew 18:15).

Marriage: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate" (Matthew 19:6).

Regarding Christianity
Preparing for eternity: "Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Understanding the seriousness of sin: "If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire" (Matthew 18:8).

Resisting temptation: "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41).

Identifying as a Christian: "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35)

Being a disciple: "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24).

Praying: "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven'" (Matthew 6:9 and following verses).

Worshiping God: "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24).

Ministering to God: "To the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me" (Matthew 25:40).

The greatest commandment: "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37).

Regarding service
Being fruitful: "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me" (John 15:4).

Making a difference: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Instructions for ministry: "As you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand'" (Matthew 10:7 and following verses).

Speaking for Him: "Do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say" (Matthew 10:19).

Regarding trouble
Considering needs: "Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on" (Matthew 6:25).

Handling burdens: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Understanding tragedy: "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:3).

Facing threats: "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul" (Matthew 10:28).

Gentleness as a counselor
Assures of love: "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love" (John 15:9).

Gives comfort: "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me" (John 14:1)

Restores: "Simon, son of John, do you love Me? ... Tend My sheep" (John 21:17).

Provides additional help: "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever" (John 14:16).

Prepares for difficulty: "Because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you" (John 15:19).

With all the right things to say about every topic, truly Jesus is a wonderful counselor indeed!