True Spiritual Wisdom in Action:
Listening and Living Worthy
As we enter this Weekend with Christ, we are called to a vital question: What does it truly mean to possess spiritual wisdom? Our scriptures illuminate a powerful truth: True spiritual wisdom consists of listening for God’s will and leading a life worthy of belief in Christ. It's about the beautiful, transformative synergy between knowing and doing.
Luke 10: Wisdom to act with compassion Our Gospel reading from Luke 10 presents a familiar and challenging story: the Parable of the Good Samaritan. A skilled lawyer, testing Jesus, asks the ultimate question: "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus, in His wisdom, turns the question back to the Law, to what the lawyer already knows: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart... and love your neighbor as yourself." The lawyer, seeking to justify himself, then asks, "And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus doesn't give him a dictionary definition. Instead, He tells a story. A man is beaten, robbed, and left for dead. A priest and a Levite, religious and knowledgeable men, pass by on the other side. They knew the Law, but their actions did not reflect its spirit. Then comes the Samaritan – an ethnic and religious outsider, despised by the Jews. He sees the man, has compassion, and acts. He bandages wounds, transports him, pays for his care, and promises to return. He embodies the very essence of neighborly love, crossing boundaries of prejudice and inconvenience. Jesus then asks the lawyer, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor?" The lawyer, compelled by the truth, answers, "The one who had mercy on him." And Jesus' command is clear: "Go and do likewise." This parable teaches us that true spiritual wisdom isn't just intellectual assent; it's the wisdom to act with compassion, to see God's will for love and to do it, demonstrating a life worthy of belief.
Colossians 1: Demonstrate Christ’s transforming power In Colossians 1, Paul prays that they would be "filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." This is the listening for God's will; not just head knowledge, but a deep, spiritual discernment of God's purposes. But Paul doesn't stop there. He prays for this wisdom so that they may "live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way." This is the leading a life worthy of belief in Christ part.
What does this "worthy life" look like? Paul describes it: "bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father." This is a life that is actively productive for God's kingdom, constantly deepening its understanding of Him, empowered by His strength, and characterized by enduring joy and gratitude. It's a life that, like the Good Samaritan's, demonstrates the reality of Christ's transforming power.
So, true spiritual wisdom is not passive. It is active. It is the wisdom to discern God's will, not just in grand pronouncements, but in the everyday needs around us. It is the wisdom to act on that will with compassion and courage, regardless of social barriers or personal inconvenience. It is the wisdom that enables us to bear fruit in every good work, reflecting God's character to a world in need.
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