The acquirement of wisdom has been commended for centuries by sage and philosopher, by Christian and Confucian, by atheists and those called pagans. Bible writers urged wisdom as the way of life, as a means of deliverance and protection, as a bestower of health and happiness; yes, the writer of the Proverbs states of wisdom, "She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her." The fact that many whom the world calls wise are neither happy nor healthy indicates that their sense of wisdom does not have the same basis as that of the wisdom referred to in the Bible. "The wisdom of this world," which, as Paul says, "is foolishness with God," springs from the undependable evidence of the so-called material senses. The wisdom commended in the Bible, however, is based upon and is coincident with spiritual understanding.
If people were asked who was the wisest of all men, perhaps the thought of many would turn to Solomon. But careful consideration of the subject leads to the definite conclusion that to Christ Jesus must be accorded the honor of being the wisest as well as the most spiritually minded of all men. In fact, with him wisdom and spirituality were inseparable and coordinate. We read that "when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?" Christ Jesus taught his disciples and others logically and appealingly, and he supported his words by Christian works. He healed all manner of disease, made the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, and the blind to see; he overcame sin and even raised the dead. Quite naturally his adversaries were confounded by his words of wisdom and his wonderful works.
It is interesting, instructive, and illuminating to note that Christ Jesus, the wisest of men, was at the same time the most humble. He identified both his doctrine and his deeds with God, his Father and our Father, and so he refused to accept the personal adulation of men. He said, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me;" and again, "The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." In these words of humility and wisdom our Master pointed to God as the infinite all-knowing Mind, the one omnipotent, all-controlling divine Principle. As Mrs. Eddy states in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 275): "All substance, intelligence, wisdom, being, immortality, cause, and effect belong to God." Continuing, she adds, "No wisdom is wise but His wisdom; no truth is true, no love is lovely, no life is Life but the divine; no good is, but the good, God bestows."
When Mrs. Eddy first glimpsed the correct concept of God and something of what it implied, her spiritual revelation was verified to her in a personal healing experience. As the truth about God unfolded to her, its verity was further supported and authenticated by the healing of sin and sickness through the wisdom-directed prayers of herself and her students. Furthermore, many men and women have realized freedom from disease and release from sinful habits through reading the Christian Science textbook, whereby they have become "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Truly it is inspiring to become acquainted with God as infinite Truth and Love, as the all-wise intelligence or divine Mind whence come all true ideas. It is life-bestowing and healing to learn that God is the only Life—omniactive good, immortality's selfhood. It is comforting and assuring to know God as our all-protecting and all-providing Father and Mother.
The wisdom which enables us to become acquainted with God as Jesus knew Him, also acquaints us aright with man as the image or reflection of divine Truth, Spirit, Life, and Love. Thus we see that in reality "we live, and move, and have our being" in God, in the one all-knowing Mind, not in matter. Furthermore, since our Father-Mother God is omniscient and omnipotent, our consciousness, intelligence, wisdom, power, and ability are expressions of divine Mind; they are ours by reflection. Consistent acknowledgment of this fact enables us to prove that the intelligence, wisdom, power, and ability needed to perform our rightful duties cannot be hidden or obscured, perverted or diverted by material beliefs.
Whether we are active in academy, college, or in the larger school of experience, every problem encountered by us can and will be solved as we strive to gain and reflect wisdom as a quality of divine Mind, and coincidently keep our thought humble by reminding ourselves often that we have no ability, intelligence, or power of our own, but that we reflect all that belongs to God. Are we called upon to perform tasks for which we have not been trained by education and human experience? Our confidence in divine Mind's guidance and sufficiency will equal our humility as we remember that whatever God gives us to do, He enables us to do, and protects us in the doing. James gives us this assuring counsel and promise: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him;" to which he adds, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering."
As Christian Scientists we must not forget that true wisdom and love are close companions, for both are from God, who is perfect Mind, infinite Love, unerring Principle. In our expression of wisdom we need the consciousness of love to keep us humble, tolerant, and teachable; and in our manifestation of the love that is the reflection of divine Love, we need wisdom to protect us from the imposition and misleading of so-called personal sense. Divinely inspired wisdom and love lead us to say and do the right thing in the right way and at the right time; and they also protect us from being handled by erroneous beliefs.
Now, because God, divine Love and Mind, is impartial in the bestowal of His blessings, an adequate supply of wisdom is ever available to all. First, we must recognize our need for the wisdom which transcends mere human intellect, for the latter is admitted to be limited and erring. Then we not only should ask God for wisdom, but should thank Him for His abundant bestowals of intelligence, love, strength, joy, and all needed qualities. The one Mind that leads us to make this grateful acknowledgment of the truth enables us to realize and manifest God's good gifts, including true wisdom.
