The wisdom from above

[Debp]

God's wisdom. Available to all that ask.

2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:2-8


17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18

[AdHoc]

10 hours ago, Debp said:

God's wisdom. Available to all that ask.

2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:2-8


17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18

When we read Galatians 2, we find that Peter and the Apostles of Jerusalem are ordained to reach the circumcision (vs.7-9). Peter's letters address those of the dispersion who embraced Christ, while James' letter reaches the devout Israelite. Their language is appropriate. Peter speaks of divine things, while James meets the Jew on his background. It was Solomon who asked for wisdom and it was given to him in a full measure.

But exactly here we see the glorious change "the new wine" brought - the vast difference between God's dealings with Israel and His dealings with the Church. Solomon very nobly asks for wisdom and is able to write it down for all to benefit us in our daily life. But this wisdom is an add-on. You ask for it and it is added to you. It is like a rucksack. You ask ans you receive and you take it with. But does it change the man or woman? No! Solomon's lack of intrinsic wisdom testifies of this. He was not even wise enough to fear God. he could make such decisions for others, but his own life was a shambles.

What resource does the Christian have? Sure he has that wisdom issued by God. But another wisdom is intrinsically his. 1st Corinthians 1:29-30 reads;

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption

The Jew may call upon God for wisdom. And he would receive it to take with and use. But the Christian has the very source of wisdom dwelling IN HIM. And not only that, but he (the Christian) abides IN Christ - the sum of all wisdom in the universe. The context of verse 29 above is recorded below

19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Note that Christ is not GIVEN to us as wisdom. He is MADE wisdom. It may be a poor example, but take a birthday cake. Five or aix ingredients are mixed together to make the cake. After they are mixed thoroughly, they are subject to heat. Perhaps vanilla essence was used. Can we find and cut the vanilla essence out of the cake. No. it is "made unto the pie". But then the mother of the birthday child lovingly puts a layer of sweet icing on the cake for a covering.  Can we cut this away from the cake and eat it separtely? Yes. It is nice. It enhances the cake. But it is never part of the cake. It can be removed easily.

The Jew can approach God and get the icing of the cake. It comes and it can go. But the Christian has the Wisest One made into him. The text above is not very flattering to the Christian. It tells the majority of us that we are weak and foolish, ignoble and despised. And this is true. But we have a treasure in earthen Vessels. Christ dwells in us, is formed in us and we are transformed into His likeness and image by His LIFE. We are then saturated with His wisdom. And this wisdom, so different from Solomon's, confounds the world.

Tell me, would Solomon ever have thought of sending His son to the cross? Never! He had the wisdom to save the living baby. But we preach Christ crucified - the wisdom of God.

[Sower]

5 hours ago, AdHoc said:

Note that Christ is not GIVEN to us as wisdom. He is MADE wisdom.

Neat stuff AdHoc.
Acquiring Wisdom and Understanding has been my biggest goal from 2nd birth.
I like word pictures, cake and icing, six ingredients makes one. I get it.
So now I know I can have my cake and eat it too, with or without the icing.
And be filled. Been filled. Spirit filled. Internal fountain.