“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Wise is defined as having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Apostle Paul ends his book to the Church at Rome saying, “the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” (Romans 16:27) Using this definition of wise, God has good judgement with all knowledge and has experienced everything through time. Therefore, Paul would call Him the only wise God. His wisdom is displayed through Jesus Christ. Let us take a look at His wisdom.

It begins with creation. “How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” (Psalm 104:24) “But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.” (Jeremiah 10:12) “By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations; by understanding he set the heavens in place.” (Proverbs 3:19) As we view the universe and this world, we are amazed at how all of it works, at least with the parts we understand. And yet, there is so much we still do not understand.

It is evidenced in redemption. “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ephesians 3:10-11) “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3) Our redemption through Jesus Christ shows God’s wisdom which overcomes our sin and fills us with God’s knowledge and wisdom.

It is greater than the wisdom of mankind. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:25) The wisdom of man does not know God, but in God’s wisdom He sent Jesus in the world. The world sees the cross as foolishness, but through the wisdom of God it is an offer of life. Isaiah would remind us of this greater wisdom, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

It is offered to believers. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5) Proverbs would state, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.” (Proverbs 4:7-8) This wisdom comes from Christ and is to be given to fellow believers. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16 ESV)

It is to be found in the work of the Church. “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:27-29) “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:17-19) “It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30) “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17) Everything thing we do as the Church is to be done through the wisdom of God. God does give to those who ask and are ready to put it to His use. His wisdom is to be evident in how we live, in what we teach, by our witness, in the content of our prayers and expressed through our fellowship. May our experience, knowledge and good judgement be filled with God’s Wisdom. All to the glory of the one who is wise, God Himself.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block