Connecting The Dots - Week 12
“Wisdom”
Key Verse: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)
The difference between what God calls wisdom and what most human beings call wisdom is as vast as the universe itself. This is likely why Proverbs 4:7, 9:10 and Psalms 111:10 say that reverence for, and understanding of his character are the “beginning of wisdom”.
“Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-25)
These verses imply that Godly wisdom is Jesus and the good news about Him, but there is much more to be seen here. For example we might ask, “Where did Jesus receive wisdom during His earthly ministry?”
“When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.” (John 8:28)
“I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.” (John 12:49)
The book of James affirms that this should be equally correct for us; firstly in exhortation, then in explanation.
What do we do if we lack wisdom about anything? (James 1:5)
What are the character traits, or the fruit of Godly wisdom? (James 3:17)
The Truth in scripture is always validated by other scripture. So to get a clearer picture of Jesus as “power and wisdom” the way God sees it, we’ll compare James 3:17 with Galatians 5:22-23 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. I believe if we look with spiritual eyes, knowing that “God is Love” (1 John 4:8), the overlapping qualities in these three passages will give us not only a better understanding of Godly wisdom, but also many practical ways to live it out as those who are now created in the very image of Jesus.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
More Ref. scriptures: (2 Peter 1:20-21), (John 16:13-15), (Isaiah 11:1-2),
(John 10:27-30), (Ephesians 2:10), (Ephesians 1:15-18), (1 Corinthians 2:2-16)
Of the character traits we see in God and his Wisdom, which of them come most naturally to you? (Why?)
Which of them do you struggle with most on a daily basis? (Why?)
