Wisdom by Jos. Clarke

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Oct 17, 1878

Wisdom.

By Jos. Clarke

"Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Prov. 3:17.

It is believed by the great mass of mankind that the path of the righteous is a very gloomy and painful one. They imagine that the life of the Christian is one of continual sorrow and unhappiness. But nothing could be more incorrect than this view. The first dawn of a genuine religious experience upon the converted soul is often a period of such happiness as words cannot describe. The very fact that his peace is made with his Judge; that he has applied to Jesus for the pardon of sins of which he has deeply repented; that he sympathizes with God in hatred of sin and love of holiness; and that he loves God and his people—all these are in his favor.

But, greater than all, the faith the Christian exercises in God buoys him up above the world. God by his Spirit moves upon his heart, and first convicts, then pardons, then comforts him. These operations of his Spirit God would not grant to one who had no faith in his word; and this faith reconciles man to God, through Christ. Such a condition of things would bring peace to the sinner, even if this life were all, and there were no future beyond.

But there are additional reasons which should make the life of the Christian one of continued enjoyment. He is now in the school of Christ; he knows the way to God, and thus his communication with Heaven is never severed, except by his own neglect; and good angels are now specially interested in his behalf.

The future reward should not be left out of the account in our list of reasons for Christian peace and joy. No! Like Abraham, the people of God look forward, with unspeakable joy, to that city which hath foundations, whose maker and builder is God.

Such a foundation being laid, it is not strange that the Christian is happy, calm, and self-possessed, even amid opposition and hatred.

Wisdom in the text means the highest wisdom, such as is here described; and we must not forget, that God by his Spirit operates in power upon the heart which has made choice of this wisdom. Those who possess such wisdom as we have here spoken of will outlive the present state of things, and will shine in undiminished and increasing luster, while the ages of eternity roll on.

Faith in God is the foundation of the Christian's hope. This is what gives life to what would otherwise be a dim and uncertain theory; for in every part of our history, the Spirit of God is present. And if we recognize this Spirit and cherish it, we shall be led along from one degree of wisdom to another, until we have the unutterable joy of embracing the One, who, as the Author of true wisdom, died a painful death, thereby showing the true value of wisdom, and winning man to embrace it. Jos. Clarke.