Who Is Wise?

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 

Psalm 90:12 

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 

James 3:13 

How does wisdom manifest itself in the world? If we number our days and gain a heart of wisdom, how will that appear in everyday life? James asks, ‘Who is wise and understanding?’ He answers the question immediately by saying, ‘Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.’ By what standard do we discern what works are good? If we examine the life of Christ, we have an abundance of illustrations. The whole life of Christ evidenced doing good to others. As Peter remarked about Christ when he preached to Cornelius, He ‘went about doing good.’ All the life of Christ, from His incarnation to today, as He ‘ever lives to make intercession’ for His redeemed, evidences works done in the meekness of wisdom. Therefore, if we contemplate Christ, we learn to imitate Him. Thus, our works in the imitation of Christ are done in the meekness of wisdom. This exalts deeds as the practical evidence of wisdom. They are inseparable from the Person of Christ and the contemplation of Him. True wisdom shows in Christlikeness.  

Our Good and Gracious God, 
we rejoice that You are the God of wisdom. 
We praise You that in Christ, 
You teach us to be wise. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning