Wisdom is waiting. Do you want it?
Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.
– Proverbs 4.26, 27
Therefore seek the supreme wisdom, not by verbal debate, but by the perfection of a good life, not with the tongue but with the faith which issues from singleness of heart, not with that which is gathered from the guess of a learned irreligion.
– Columbanus, Sermon I, Irish, 7th century[1]
Growing in wisdom should be a primary goal for every Christian, in every area of life.
This is true for a lot of obvious reasons; however, it’s especially true because wisdom is the embodiment in all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities of the indwelling life of Jesus Christ. He is the Treasury of divine wisdom (Col. 2.3), and as He fills us with Himself (Eph. 4.8), He manifests as wisdom in all the things of our lives.
Wisdom is Jesus Christ refracted into eating and drinking and whatever we do, so that God is glorified in our lives (1 Cor. 10.31).
Wisdom is not a philosophical idea; nor is it the domain only of those who gravitate to intellectual pursuits. The Hebrew word for wisdom means something like “skill in living.” It involves how we think, of course, but it goes far beyond just having the right answers or the best information on any subject.
Wisdom is a life rightly lived – lived, that is, according to the pattern intended by God in the day He first made men on the earth. God knows best how we should live; we know wisdom, therefore, when we are careful about our walk (“ponder the path”) and keep our feet moving along the sure way in every area of our lives.
Wisdom comes to expression in everything we do. We can be wise in our relationships, work, use of our resources and time, conversation, and in how we comport ourselves among others. When we are wise in all these ways, we bear living testimony to our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the very Wisdom of God (cf. Prov. 8, Col. 2.1-3). We can learn wisdom by studying the life of Christ and contemplating Him, exalted in glory.
At the same time, Solomon’s burden in the book of Proverbs is to help us learn wisdom not only from the Word of God, but from His works as well.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and keeping His Law is the path that leads to it (Ps. 111.10).
There is always room to grow in wisdom, of course. This is why Columbanus, echoing Paul, John, Peter, and all the prophets, urged his congregation to make “the perfection of a good life” which is “the supreme wisdom” their supreme pursuit.
Jesus put it this way: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6.33).
What will the pursuit of wisdom look like in your life today? What plans have you made to seek the supreme wisdom, the perfection of a good life, in every area of your life today?
And who will benefit from such a skillful touch of Jesus through you?
Spend time with Jesus; meditate in His Law; offer up your daily path to the Lord in prayer. He will guide you in the way of wisdom, but you must want to walk it.
Psalm 111.10 (Manoah: “When All Your Mercies, O My God”)
All they who would true wisdom know must learn to fear You, Lord,
And in that wisdom daily live and praise You evermore.
Lord, we are holy when we walk in love, according to Your wisdom; make me holy today, O Lord! Adapted from Colmán mac Beógnai, Aipgitir Chrábaid
The Rule of Law
This week, in our In the Gates column, we finish up our study of the Law of God. Next week we begin a new series on “The Rule of God’s Law.” Everyone is ruled by some law; only one Law can fit us for loving God and our neighbors and knowing full and abundant life in Christ. If you have not been reading In the Gates, I encourage you to visit the website for each day’s installment in this important subject.
Thanks to those of you whom God has moved and enabled to support our work with your gifts. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.
T. M. Moore, Principal
tmmoore@ailbe.org
All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
