The Wisdom of God Is the Way of Life

True wisdom and the way of real life are found in the fear of the Lord. Such fear is not to be in terror of the Lord, but to honor His divine authority as the Author and Giver of life; and, with that honor, also to love and trust in Him above and beyond anything and everything else.

You know that wisdom and way of life in Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son of God. For He alone has the knowledge of the Holy One. He lives in, with, and from the Father eternally. He lives in love for His Father and for His whole creation. Therefore, He comes down from heaven, from the bosom of the Father, as the true and living Bread. The Word becomes Flesh, in order to give Himself in the flesh for the life of the world. He gives His flesh as a sacrifice of atonement for all sins. He also then gives His flesh as true Food, that you may eat of Him and live.

You know this wisdom and this way of life in Christ by the Word that He preaches to you, which is Spirit, Truth, and Life. And you know it by your Baptism into His Cross and Resurrection, whereby you have been enlightened and clothed with His righteousness and holiness.

As a Christian, a disciple of Christ Jesus, a beloved child of God the Father, walk as a child of the Light. Walk in the wisdom of Christ Jesus, which is the way of life and light and love. Live and walk in faith toward God; which is to fear, love and trust in Him above all things. And live in fervent love for your neighbor, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ. That is wisdom.

Sacrifice yourself in love for others. Give yourself in love to your neighbor in his need. Speak words that are good and right and true, by confessing the Word of Christ that has graciously been spoken to you. Above all, forgive those who trespass against you, as Christ forgives you in mercy.

Do not harbor anger, resentment or bitterness against anyone, no matter how they may hurt you; and do not give yourself over to envy and jealousy. Rather, let the melody of the Spirit ring forth in your heart, and sing the song of peace in Christ to your neighbor. And in all things, give thanks and praise to God.

This is how you live as a Christian; though it is hard and difficult, because it is the way of the Cross. Indeed, it is impossible; you cannot do it at all, except that Christ calls you by His Gospel.

Do not be scandalized by this Cross of Christ, which you are given to carry in the fear of the Lord. It is not the way of death, as it often feels or seems, but the way of life and the true wisdom of God.

Be on your guard against the temptations of the world, of the devil, and of your own sinful heart. Do not be deceived by false and empty words, which have the appearance of wisdom, but are deadly and damnable lies.

Be on your guard, because it is possible for a disciple of Christ Jesus to stumble and fall, to turn away from Him and leave, to follow Him no longer, even to the point of death. That is what happens when His Word is rejected and refused; when other words and the world's wisdom are heeded instead.

Do not harden your heart in this way. Do not grumble and complain against His Word, but hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it; even when it is hard to hear and difficult to understand.

To whom shall you go to hear the Word of Life?

To Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son of the Father. He is the Holy One, whom to know is wisdom and life everlasting.

As He lives in and with and from the living Father, so has He come down from heaven to you, to give His flesh for you, to shed His blood for you, and to give His flesh and blood to you as Meat and Drink indeed; that you may live and abide in and with Him forever.

You'll not find wisdom or life in your own heart, nor in the world, nor at all apart from the Word of Christ.

But here in the Divine Service, in His Church, is where His Word of Life is heard. And in that Word, the Holy Spirit and the Wisdom of God are given to you. That divine Word forgives you all your sins, for Jesus' sake. It raises you up, daily, as you often as you fall, and restores you to life in Him. It enlightens your heart and mind with His righteousness and peace, with His own perfect faith and holy love.

Listen.

The Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus, has built His House, the holy Christian Church, on earth. He has hewn out His seven pillars, which are the manifold gifts of His Holy Spirit. He has prepared His food for you by the slaughter of His slaughter, by the sacrifice of His own flesh; and He has mixed His wine with the blood and water from His riven side. He has prepared His Table for you, even in the face of all your enemies, in the midst of sin and death; for He prevails for you as your Good Shepherd.

And He has sent His servants, His messengers, even to the ends of the earth, to cry out in the highways and byways, and to call you into His House and to His Table:

"Come, eat My Flesh, which is true Food; and drink My Blood, which is true Drink."

You do not wish to go away, do you? But, no, rather forsake your folly; be not unwise, but wise, and proceed in this way of understanding. Eat, drink, and live, by the Wisdom of God in Christ.

In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.