But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Cor 1:30)
This morning on my way to work, I was listening to a podcast and the Lord began to convict me about a certain aspect of my life. The preacher was teaching from the sermon on the mount about treasures in our lives (Matthew 6:19-21). The entire purpose of the message was to show that what we spend our money on is what we value. "For where your treasure is there will your heart be also." In illustrating this point, he mentioned a time when finances were low and yet anytime he saw a book, he would buy the book. According to him, he valued being viewed as intellectual and so when more information was available the money would just fly out of his pockets.
One of the biggest "discussions" my wife and I have had in our marriage centered around just this exact problem. Once when she was on vacation, I purchased hundreds of dollars worth of religious research books without talking to her about it. In our marriage, we have a policy that if any purchase is over $20 we discuss it first. Well, I violated that rule and listening to this sermon helped me see that the root of the problem is that I value or find my value in how intellectual people see me. Where my treasures are there will my heart be also. Now knowledge is not a bad thing, but a misplaced heart is. What I am awakening to see is that my identity is found in Christ, but even more than that, my wisdom must be centered in Him.
The verse that I quoted above says that Christ is made unto us our wisdom. Col 2:3 says that the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. True wisdom is found in relationship with Christ and is available to all Christians. I can spend so much of my money learning more and more, but ultimately, the true source of wisdom is in Him.
So how is Christ our wisdom? 2 Tim 3:15 says about Timothy that he has known from childhood the scriptures "which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Notice the highlighted words in this verse. Wisdom comes from the scriptures as the thoughts and teachings of the Lord, but they must also be coupled with faith in the person of Christ. Through faith in Christ, we are able to receive the wisdom of God's word.
Secondly, Christ is our wisdom because we have access to God's wisdom through Him. James says that if we lack wisdom, we can ask of God who gives to all men graciously and doesn't berate us for asking. But the reason we have access to that wisdom is our relationship with Christ that we all have as believers.
Questions to ask ourselves:
Is there a trend in my spending habits that shows where my heart really is?
Am I basing my self-image on something other than what Christ says of me?
In pursuing wisdom, am I looking in the wrong places?
Is my mind submitted to God and His knowledge?