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.
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:
James Packer says that:
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