We can never put too much emphasis on the importance of faith in the life of a Christian. I think it’s safe to say that no one can live the Christian life if he is not willing to exercise faith in God. We can’t see God, we can’t see Jesus, and we can’t see the Holy Spirit, yet the teachings of the Bible require us to make these the essence of our life.
On the other hand, many Christians tend to put too little emphasis on the importance of wisdom. In fact, some people have the idea that a person must be mindless to be a good Christian. On the contrary, the Bible commands us to pursue wisdom: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…and it shall be given him” (James 1:5, KJV). Specifically, this verse is referring to the times in which we find ourselves in various kinds of trials. During such times, not only do we need faith, but also we need wisdom.
If you are a Christian business man or woman, all the faith in the world will not compensate for you making bad business decisions. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28, NIV). The idea of a Christian claiming to be acting by faith while acting totally contrary to wisdom is not biblical.
It is incumbent upon us to study the Bible to get a practical understanding of the Scriptures. They impart to us faith AND wisdom. This is not the wisdom that comes from this world but from God. This wisdom works hand and hand with our faith in God. The latter without the former will render us an ineffective Christian.
On the other hand, many Christians tend to put too little emphasis on the importance of wisdom. In fact, some people have the idea that a person must be mindless to be a good Christian. On the contrary, the Bible commands us to pursue wisdom: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…and it shall be given him” (James 1:5, KJV). Specifically, this verse is referring to the times in which we find ourselves in various kinds of trials. During such times, not only do we need faith, but also we need wisdom.
If you are a Christian business man or woman, all the faith in the world will not compensate for you making bad business decisions. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28, NIV). The idea of a Christian claiming to be acting by faith while acting totally contrary to wisdom is not biblical.
It is incumbent upon us to study the Bible to get a practical understanding of the Scriptures. They impart to us faith AND wisdom. This is not the wisdom that comes from this world but from God. This wisdom works hand and hand with our faith in God. The latter without the former will render us an ineffective Christian.
Copyright ©2011 by Frank King. All rights reserved.
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