The Grace of Wisdom

(Proverbs 2:6 KJV)  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs, and the rest of scripture, has numerous if/then statements.  Here I see an addition which makes it if/then/for.  Notice the balance between faith and works.  It is grace.  If you look at the previous verses, we are to discern, seek, search, pay attention, etc.  God then “gives” (5414).  Here the gift is “wisdom” (2451).  Other places the gift is salvation, sanctification, gifts, fruit; the list goes on.  Do we receive because we are such hard workers and great spiritual leaders?  Yes.  Do we receive because we have earned it?  No.  God gives but only because God chooses to give.  It is grace.

Grace has to do with God’s volition, not our qualifications.  The big question that is evaded and ignored in Reform circles is, “On what does God base His free gift?”  Is God capricious?  Is He arbitrary?  As an Arminian I reject those characterizations of God.  God is sovereign.  He is so sovereign that He is not belittled by giving the part of creation made in His image freedom to choose.  Grace is His free and loving response to those choices.  If you have the time you can look at a scholarly presentation on this at An Introspective of an Arminian Christian. 

Another implication of grace is that these wonderful gifts are only from God.  He is the only one capable of giving wisdom.  The world has its shadows and imitations.  We have knock offs that try to be like the real thing, but ultimately these abilities are given by God.

So?  Remember one of the promises of Jesus:

(Matthew 7:7 KJV)  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Begin the process of growing into wisdom or take another step.  As the next verse says, store it up for when it will be needed.  I guarantee the day is here or will be.