“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
In the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, in one of the most important verses in the New Testament concerning one’s union with Christ, and how it comes about, we read: “But of Him (God the Father) are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1:30) Paul brings the believer face to face with a spiritual reality which was in essence a mystery. It speaks of God’s work to place the believer into spiritual union with Christ at the new birth, there to remain for time and eternity. The purpose of this irrevocable act of God, evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit of God in the life, is so that the believer in that union, will be enabled to derive, or receive from Christ all that he needs to glorify God. This is proven by the fact that the Spirit of God reveals “the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1 Cor. 2:12) In Jesus Christ, God has made Him to BE the believer’s wisdom. Not only is there revealed the truth and fact of who Christ is, and the relationship that He has with the believer, but also, that Christ’s wisdom is available to every believer. How important is this matter of wisdom, and the “knowledge of the holy?”
In his letter to the believers at Colosse, Paul writes his objective in ministering to the churches: “…That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (2:2,3) In this statement is revealed the fact that ALL knowledge and wisdom is in Christ. By virtue of one’s union with Christ, the believer by faith can receive all the knowledge in Christ, and His wisdom, that he needs, and that God chooses and wills to give. This wisdom and knowledge is not tainted by the sinfulness of men, for its source is the everlasting Christ, holy and true in all of His person. It is a knowledge that is good, and wholesome, applicable to the life, resulting in the blessing of God to and in all men. What is the distinguishing, dominating richness of this wisdom and knowledge? It is the holy goodness and love of God revealed to men. In the wisdom and knowledge of the holy, there is life and purpose, the very revelation of God’s glory.
What is the believer to do concerning this knowledge of God, and the wisdom, so that it can be received, known? He is to seek Christ for it, realizing that the Lord Himself is the only source of it. He is also to believe that God gives wisdom, and knowledge, not begrudgingly, but willingly, desirous to communicate His Life and goodness, so that Christ can be formed in the heart. The wonderful news is that, not only is the believer in living union with the source of all wisdom and knowledge, but that the Lord is waiting for the believer to seek Him. Wonderful are the words of God to every believer: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to ALL men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering…” (1:5) The believer has ALL wisdom in Christ, but does he receive this wisdom in his experience of walking with, and serving Him? It is one thing that the wisdom of Christ should be available to every believer, and quite another, that the believer should receive it on a daily basis in answer to prayer and faith. Many, if not all, of the great men and women of the Bible were those who sought God for the knowledge of His will, and the wisdom concerning how to accomplish it well.
Dear Father, Be our wisdom today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.