We are now approaching the end of our series on how important values are for our communities. We have attempted to see how these values need to be informed by virtues, which have their origin in God Himself. We’ve also tried to think about the flow backwards and forwards of understanding virtues and how they inform values; and how the habits of good values help us to understand the virtues from which they arise.

We now arrive at Wisdom. God is unsurpassed and infinite wisdom. Wisdom is the way God is and the reason for everything. We think wisdom is so that we might solve problems; God doesn’t have any problems. He is always intentional.

“…not only does God know the end from the beginning, but God designs the end from the beginning.”[1]

The wonder of God’s character is that each of His attributes are part of His wholeness. Whilst we can try to identify aspects of His character, none of these aspects can actually be isolated. God is complete in Himself and perfection in every way. So, we can talk about His love, righteousness, goodness, faithfulness, truth, humility, grace, compassion, perseverance, joy and so on; but in reality, they cannot be separately identified; they do not stand alone.

His omnipotence (His infinite power) enables Him to do anything and everything He determines; and because He is all wisdom, that will always be good.

 

VIRTUE BIBLICAL INDICATOR VALUES
WIDSOM “Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3 Discernment

Understanding

Insight

 

In a very real sense God cannot be defined in any human terms. Some theologians, have attempted to define the wisdom of God:

“In the Holy Scriptures wisdom, when used of God . . . always carries a strong moral connotation. It is conceived as being pure, loving, and good . . . Wisdom, among other things, is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve those ends by the most perfect means. It sees the end from the beginning, so there can be no need to guess or conjecture. Wisdom sees everything in focus, each in proper relation to all, and is thus able to work toward predestined goals with flawless precision.”[2]

James Packer says that:

“Wisdom is the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it . . . As such, it is found in its fulness only in God. He alone is naturally and entirely and invariably wise.”[3]

 

Enough to say that the wisdom of God along with all His other holistic attributes are beyond our understanding but provide us with great security

More next week.

Blessings,

 

[1] G.Bingham, Salvation History

[2] A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

[3] J. I. Packer, Knowing God

 

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