If you consider yourself to be wise and one who understands the ways of God, advertise it with a beautiful, fruitful life guided by wisdom’s gentleness. Never brag or boast about what you’ve done and you’ll prove that you’re truly wise. James 3:13 TPT
It is clear that wisdom cuts across all generations. Yesterday's piece on wisdom was taken from the Old Testament, and today's piece, also on wisdom, is taken from the New Testament. There is no definition of true wisdom that leaves God out of it, so I will be seen as truly wise, it has all to do with God. Wisdom isn't in words, but is seen by action.
And that is why I note that talk is cheap. Making the right noises; keeping up the right appearance; exuding just the right amount of visible action look all good to the human eye, but if I know I am dealing with a God of absolute knowledge and that I cannot decieve Him, I must not be content with mere mouth confession, whilst my life is empty of direction, purpose and impact.
My life's outward profession is the result of my inner faith profession. As I live my life from day to day, I am simply showing off what I have spent my life investing in. Does God know me as His own, or am I the one making an empty claim? Does God reckon with my walk with Him, or am I the one who needs to check his standing again?
You see, a life under God's direction cannot be fruitless. No man comes in contact with God and walks away the same. A life that has met God is marked; there will always be the outward mark of that experience on that man. How did the apostles in Antioch get to be called 'Christians'? How did men like Abraham, Jacob and Elisha become the men we speak about today, if they never had an experience of God that stayed with them all their lives and even after their death, their lives still speak of the experience of God. You can never outgrow that experience.
So if I know how I have come into this new standing with God, where is the room for pride? If I am all that God intends, how do I ever think I can make it outside of God? If He is all I need, then He is sufficient for all I will ever become. You cannot boast about what you've done or become if you know that you have been helped by God, and you owe all to Him. And that is wisdom: knowing my limits and totally depending on the limitless God to make me all that He desires. Anything else is foolishness. His time of favour is here.
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