This is the kind of
stuff that drives me a little nuts about Scripture. Take a look.
1 Timothy 1:17(NKJV)
Now to the King
eternal, immortal, invisible,
to God who alone is wise, be
honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Jude 1:25(NKJV)
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power,
Both now and forever. Amen.
Here are two
examples of Scripture that tell us that God is the only wise one.
Now compare that to
these two Scriptures.
Proverbs 4:5-7(NKJV)
Get wisdom! Get
understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the
words of my mouth.
Do
not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her,
and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom. And in all
your getting, get understanding.
Wait a minute. Why try to get wisdom when Scripture tells us
that only God is wise? What is the
point?
Or this Scripture.
James 3:13(NKJV)
Who is wise and understanding among
you? Let him show
by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
Well if we take the
first two Scriptures at face value wouldn't the answer to James be "no one
is wise"?
This may sound like a rationalization but here is how I deal with this apparent dichotomy. I think that in the first two examples it is more of a rhetorical flourish. A way to honor God. In the case of Proverbs I think that is a Scripture to live by. Always seek wisdom, knowledge, and understanding….but always keep it in the perspective that wisdom comes from God. Always compare your "wisdom" to Scripture to make sure you are on the right track. If we do that then I think we can answer yes to the Scripture from James. Make sense?
This may sound like a rationalization but here is how I deal with this apparent dichotomy. I think that in the first two examples it is more of a rhetorical flourish. A way to honor God. In the case of Proverbs I think that is a Scripture to live by. Always seek wisdom, knowledge, and understanding….but always keep it in the perspective that wisdom comes from God. Always compare your "wisdom" to Scripture to make sure you are on the right track. If we do that then I think we can answer yes to the Scripture from James. Make sense?