Wisdom

This morning as we finish out the year and look ahead to our study of James in the New Year, we consider the topic of wisdom. James is sometimes called the "Proverbs of the New Testament," so in preparation for our study we ponder the following questions:

1) What is wisdom?

2) Why do we need it?

3) How do we get it?

Wisdom is living in accordance with reality. It's living in harmony with both the created order and God's redemptive work. It's walking according to the true way. It's living in light of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We need wisdom because we are fools by nature and by choice. We have believed the lie that wisdom can be found apart from God, outside of His will, or in disobedience to His commands.

Wisdom begins with wonder. It begins with a reverential awe or fear of God. A belief that we are not God, we don't get to define good and evil for ourselves, and we live in God's world. Wisdom begets more wisdom. Those who are wise continue to grow in wisdom. Finally, wisdom belongs to Christ and builds in dependence upon Him. Jesus became to us wisdom from God. In Christ all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge are found. Walking in wisdom is made possible through Jesus and grows as we depend upon Him more deeply.