Monday, June 12, 2023
As we go through life, we come to understand that true fulfillment, happiness, and success requires wisdom. We must learn to perceive the reality God intended for us to achieve a real and authentic life. As Christians, it is important that we make wisdom a priority and goal in our lives to avoid confusion and disorder. Michel de Montaigne once said, "A soul without a well-established aim [goal] loses itself," and this serves as a reminder of the importance of wisdom. Jesus also encouraged us to be wise like serpents and gentle like doves (Matthew 10:16), so we can gain and provide valuable guidance on developing wisdom for ourselves, others, and the world where Christian Character Counts.
Wisdom is a powerful tool that can greatly benefit individuals. Christians seek divine wisdom, which has both secular and sacred aspects. In Genesis 1:1, it is written that "In the beginning God created the heavens [sacred] and the earth [secular]." When we receive wisdom from God, we can gain insight beyond human understanding and discern inner goodness and great relationships. Possessing divine wisdom enables us to see life from God's perspective and make sound decisions, leading to a good life inwardly and outwardly. Divine wisdom combines the love of the Father (sacred - heavens) and the discipline of the Son (secular - earth) and is followed by the gift of the Holy Spirit, allowing God's people to be open and responsive to Him and His will.
However, if we prioritize wisdom incorrectly, it can lead to devastating consequences, presenting itself as worldly wisdom or evil. Divine wisdom involves connecting with the creator to align sacred and secular aspects of life, enabling and empowering people to live according to life’s intended design – fulfilled, happy, and fruitful (success). If this order is reversed, it can lead to catastrophic problems, making life seem like a constant struggle; leading people straight to disorder or hell now and for eternity. To restore goodness, it is essential to seek God's guidance and bring life back to its divine order.
To gain divine wisdom, we must follow Jesus' example by studying God's subjective word (Holy Bible) and objective word (nature, history, and design) and putting it into practice. The Bible teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), and listening to advice and instruction helps us gain wisdom (Proverbs 19:20). We also receive the gift of wisdom from the Holy Spirit through faith (James 1:5). Becoming humble and teachable also leads to true wisdom (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). Finally, seeking to become more like Jesus in all areas of our lives leads to increased wisdom and understanding (Luke 2:52).
As Christians, let us not waste any more time and seek divine wisdom properly. Let us align ourselves with God's perception and perspectives to gain insight together. From there, let us boldly go into the world and proclaim the total truth of God to make a difference and bring Jesus' hope to those in need where Christian Character Counts.
With much appreciation,