Yesterday, we continued our series on the Holy Spirit, reflecting on God’s wisdom – a powerful force according to which the whole universe is ordered, and in which it coheres. The Greeks termed it the Logos, in the Bible it is often characterized as that which reflects God’s attributes. Scriptural wisdom contains a moral component, reflected in Proverbs 1:3: Proverbs are about doing what is right and just and fair; and Proverbs 8:20: I (wisdom) walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice. The point being that you might be skilled (wise) at making money, but if your ethics are shady or you overwork at the expense of your relationships with others, you are considered foolish because in the end wisdom is about life as it was meant to be. This is why so many people on this day will tweet out one of the more famous sayings from one of Dr. King’s sermons: “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” We intuitively believe that because all of us are created in the image of the God of wisdom and righteousness.
This means two things: first, Christians are to be hopeful about the future. In the end, human existence is a wisdom contest and God’s wisdom will prevail. Second, Christians are to be ambassadors of God’s wisdom, working in their professions and engaging in their relationships in ways that reflect the ultimate example of God’s wisdom, the cross, defined by the Apostle Paul as the wisdom and power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-25) On this Monday, let me suggest you read Matthew 7:24-27 (below) and reflect on how you might align your life with the wisdom of Jesus. I have also included a link to Dr. King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail, something I read every year on this day. It is a powerful and masterful reminder of God’s wisdom in the face of humanity’s foolishness, and of the hope found in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” – Matthew 7:24-27
Russell Moore: Religion, Christianity, and the Public Square
Join us for an evening with Russell Moore, author of Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, who will be speaking on the intersection between our personal faith and our public lives. The current cultural moment requires Christians not only to reflect on this topic but also to understand the difference between religion and Christianity.
The cost is $20 per person, and registration is required.
Upcoming Events
- Jan 17 | Pastoral Search Weekly Prayer
- Jan 17 | Empowered Christian Women group
- Jan 18 | Russell Moore: Religion, Christianity, and the Public Square
- Jan 19 | Fisher Center Artists’ Talk
- Jan 28 | New at RWS
- Jan 28 | Pastoral Search Roundtable for Youth
- Jan 29 | Asian American Support Group for Young Adults
- Jan 31 | RWS Prayer Night
- Feb 3 | Celebration of Life for Ellie Ellsworth
