Faith and Wisdom

WE NOTE THAT THE DEFINITION of faith given to us in Hebrews 11:1 states, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It requires faith to believe in God, for he is invisible to human sight. There is much evidence, however, that the Creator of the universe exists. As a result, we “believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (vs. 6) This is faith in its simplest form. The true Christian, however, must develop a deeper level of faith. It must grow and mature through experience, then be tested and proven through difficult trials. Our faith must progress to the point of absolute certainty and trust in the will of God, and in his attributes of justice, wisdom, love and power. To have unwavering faith should be the goal of every child of God.

We quote Romans 1:16,17 from Wilson’s Emphatic Diaglott: “I am not ashamed of the glad tidings; … For the righteousness of God by faith is revealed therein in order to faith; as it has been written, … The righteous by faith, shall live.” We see from this that through the Gospel—the glad tidings—God has revealed his righteousness to us so that our faith will increase and mature, and that we will live according to our faith.

As suggested in our title, faith must lead to wisdom in the life of a Christian. In reality, they are developed together as we mature in the “school of Christ.” In order for this to take place, we must progress in the development of the fruits of the spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. (Gal. 5:22,23) We are to also “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (II Pet. 3:18) If we have the witness of such spiritual growth, let us rejoice, and follow along the same pathway as we are brought to maturity in Christ. Our faith will thereby increase in its depth, and divine wisdom will be gained in good measure.

Having faith in the Heavenly Father, in his purposes and in his plans, should be a constant reminder to us that “the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”—James 3:17

A heart motivation to increase in the development of both faith and wisdom should be the natural outgrowth of our covenant relationship with the Heavenly Father and with his dear Son. Such a desire is expressed well by the psalmist: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” (Ps. 40:8) The Apostle Paul gives us these additional words of encouragement: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”—Eph. 3:17-19

Faith and wisdom are vital elements of character which are especially necessary to be possessed by the child of God, that the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart may be acceptable in the sight of the Heavenly Father, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.—Ps.19:14