The Editor's Page
Wisdom

What is wisdom? "Knowledge denotes acquaintance with, or clear perception of facts: wisdom is the capacity of judging soundly and dealing with facts, esp, in their practical relations to life and conduct; it often implies depth of insight or ripeness of experience." (Webster).

Consider some divine statements about wisdom:

1. Jesus said to the apostles, "I will give you a mouth and wisdom" (Lk. 21:15). What did Jesus tell them? I will give you WHAT to say (that is knowledge) and HOW to say it (that is wisdom). How many times have you known what to say, but was not sure how to say it? The apostles would be given both.
2. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!...For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." (Rom. 11:33-36).
3. "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3) was said of Jesus Christ.
4. "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God" (Eph. 3:10). The church of the Lord manifests the wisdom of heaven.

James gives the characteristics of heavenly wisdom: "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17). With these characteristics in mind, think about what Jesus said at the end of the sermon on the mount: "Therefore whosoever heareth these saying of mine, and doeth them, I will like him unto a wise man...And every one that heareth these saying of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man..." (Mt. 7:24,26). Who among the following were wise and who were foolish? "But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put if from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles...And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:45,46,48). Who were wise and who foolish? "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:36-47). Who were the wise and who were the foolish?

Have you heard about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (I Cor. 15:1-4)? Have you believed that or have you rejected it like some of the Athenians (Acts 17:30ff)? If you believed, did you repent of your sins (Acts 2:38) or did you do like the Jews of Acts 13:45? If you repented, have you been baptized for the remission of your sins like the three thousand (Acts 2:38, 41) or did you reject the counsel of God against yourself like many in the days of John the Baptist (Lk. 7:29,30)?

Do you remember Jesus' words? "Therefore whosoever heareth these saying of mine, and doeth them, I will like him unto a wise man....And every one that heareth these saying of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man..." (Mt. 7:24,26).