SOME THOUGHTS ON WISDOM by Abigail Shah
(Please note: This is a reflection paper for a Bible class by my daughter Abigail. I was so impressed that I asked her permission to put it on my blog. It’s good to be reminded that wisdom will not die with us. The future is indeed bright for the next generation!)
I have learned a lot about wisdom by reading most of the book of Proverbs and the book of James twice by myself. It has given me time to reflect and think about each verse on my own time and pace.
People believe all you have to do is become a Christian and “BOOM” your set, but there is more. James is telling us to shape up and really live our lives for Christ. We need to watch what we say, do good deeds, and bear fruit for God’s kingdom. Legit faith in Christ makes a big difference in how people live. Like James 1:22 says, “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
I believe that a true, wise believer will help restore a wandering believer. They don’t judge the wanderer, but humbly help. Many unwise Christians make the mistake of judging the wanderer, not always on purpose though. The main idea I believe James is trying to get across is probably the fact that all wisdom comes from God. Some people believe that they can gain wisdom. The only thing man can get is earthly knowledge, but not wisdom.
As believers we all yearn to be close to God, but only few people acquire that special blessing through hard work and faith. As James 4:4, 7-8 says, “You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy with God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, make yourself an enemy of God”. And verse seven through eight says, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world”.
Altogether, James is saying to grow close to God by reading and meditating on His Word. With God’s help you will be able to have patience, confidence in Christ, control of your tongue, the ability to pull a wandering believer or non-believer to Christ, and most of all, true wisdom.
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