Life and Wisdom

Aug 12 A Call to Life

Wisdom builds a house with seven pillars.  This sounds like a good strong house, the pillars would be set on a foundation.  It makes me think of the New Testament story about the wise man and the foolish man building their houses.  I think we all know this story the wise man built on a firm foundation and the fool built on the sand.  When the storms came along only one house stood firm.(Matt. 7:24-27) Jesus tells the crowd that those who hear and are doers of His word are wise.  In the same way wisdom calls to the simple.  It’s interesting that in chapter one wisdom calls to the simple, mockers and fool’s.  Later in chapter 8 she calls only to the simple and fools.  The mockers have laughed at the call of wisdom and now wisdom laughs at them.  Then in chapter 9 wisdom no longer calls to the fools. The fools wanted nothing to do with the wisdom of God so they no longer hear the call.  It is a dangerous thing to reject the call of God in your life.  

“Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.””

Proverbs 9:6 NIV

We are told to, “leave our simple ways” what does this mean?  Our simple ways are the old patterns and habits of life.  Most often this might include old friends.

“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.””

1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV

This can be a difficult thing to do.  Yet, as a new creation in Christ we can no longer go in roll in the mud.  Our old friends may ridicule us for the changes in our lives. Yet at the same time I am to be a light to the old crowd.  This difficult balance is critical verses 7 and 8 tell us that when we shine the light on the fools and mockers they will not like it.  We will face rejection and persecution from people who in the past had been our friends.  Yet as we walk thru this some of them will notice a change in our lives.  They will see something different about us and this difference, this light will point them to the Christ.  He will use us to draw them to Himself.  The problem with to many Christians is that when the world looks at us they see no difference between us and themselves. 

But for those who hear and respond to the call of wisdom will come an increase of wisdom.   Our knowledge of God will increase and with this will increase our usefulness.  I believe this is true not because we have more knowledge but because as we grow to know God more we become more like His Son.  As we grow more like the Son we will be more about the work of our Father.  It then tells us that, “through wisdom your days will be many”.  This is not a guaranty of long life but I see it as more of a promise for what we do with our days.  Hears what I mean, if I live a 100 years but waste them on foolish and selfish living what good has it been.  My life has been all about; eat, drink and be merry.  This has gained me nothing but death and destruction.  But if I live only a few years but spend them serving the Lord then what has it gained me?  

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

Proverbs 11:30 KJV

This is the true worth of a life, its not about the amount of days but about the fullness of those days.  This then brings life to others. A life they did not have and eternity.  Wisdom then does bring a fullness of days for what could be longer then a life that never ends.  Let us then be wise and use our time hear on earth for things that matter, things that will last forever.