9/16/13:

TFTD: “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” James 3:13

Who is the smartest person that you know? What makes them that way? Is it their head knowledge or maybe their handiness? Or maybe it’s their street smarts or common sense. Okay, decided who that is? Now, how do they act? Are they kind and caring, or are they snobby and proud? I know in the case of some they flaunt their knowledge in front of others to prove that they are the smartest. My favorite example of this is Sheldon from the TV show The Big Bang Theory. He claims to be the smartest and the most knowledgeable about everything, and he has no problem letting those around him know it. They part that makes the show funny to me is that he is so smart and knows so much but can’t seem to put any of it to practical use. He knows how to drive and swim but can’t actually do them. He especially has difficulty with social ques. He understands the concepts of them but can’t quite seem to grasp how to use or interpret them.

            How much are we Christians like Sheldon? We have the most intimate relationship with the person who knows all and others are aware of it, but the one thing that we have trouble with is the practical side of things. We have trouble putting that love and knowledge of Christ into action. The best part for us is that there is an instruction guide. The problem is that too often we forget to use it. James gives us the perfect example. “Who is wise and understanding among you?” He is asking the same question I started with, but he goes on to say “By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” He gives us the answer for how to use our intelligence. Do the hard and right things and do them because you are smart enough to know that, that is what you are supposed to do, not because you have to. In 1 Corinthians 10 it says this “Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God.” What an awesome way to use our wisdom. To promote the smartest person I know, so that others can get to know Him too.

“The best portion of a good man’s life: His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” –William Wordsworth