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Last week I closed suggesting that godly vision is wisdom. Remember
that the word "vision," in the Bible, is limited to expressing
divine revelation. Those who have a godly inner vision of themselves
are, in Biblical terms, wise - understanding therefore obeying God's
word.
Wisdom is the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships;
hence, obtaining true knowledge, understanding, and sound judgement.
A wise person will come to a knowledge of God's will (1 Tim. 2:4)
and accurately apply His word in formulating a godly inner vision.
In this perspective, let me suggest that wisdom is understanding
therefore obeying God's vision for man - e.g. salvation and the
walk of life ordained by God for those in Christ.
Paul says: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools,
but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore
do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is"
(Eph. 5:15-17). So in our vernacular we may say: One who has a godly
vision is wise, understanding the will of the Lord. Note that the
word understand denotes true understanding to the point of obedience
to God, not just mental assent.
Concerning wisdom, knowledge, and understanding note the wisdom
literature of David and Solomon. Wisdom is the principle thing.
The wise obey God; and the unwise disobey God. The wise have a godly
vision; and the unwise have an ungodly vision. Notice:
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Ps. 90:12 we must have a realization of judgement
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Ps. 111:10 we must be respective of God, His word
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Pr. 1:2-7 wisdom, instruction, perception, understanding, knowledge
are interconnected
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Pr. 2:6-10 wisdom, knowledge; shield, guard, preserve; understand,
wisdom, knowledge are interconnected
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Pr. 4:7 "Wisdom is the principle thing; Therefore get
wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding."
Further, Paul says that God alone is wise (Eph. 3:10); therefore,
those with a godly vision must appeal to God - else their vision
is unwise. In this perspective, God has a vision for man which he
has revealed in His word. Those who are wise understand God's vision
and make God's vision their own vision. Some details of our vision
may be different from others within the realm of activity authorized
by God. Your vision may be in the field of medicine while my vision
may be in the field of education. But, we both share a common vision
toward God: Obedience and eternal life.
Now note this example of godly and ungodly vision (2 Chron. 26:5,
16-21). Uzziah became king at age sixteen. Zechariah was a prophet
having understanding in the visions of God. Uzziah prospered as
long as he sought God. Thus in our vernacular we may say: Uzziah
prospered as long as his vision was according to the visions of
God. But eventually Uzziah became proud and transgressed God's law
by offering incense in the temple of the Lord. Therefore God punished
him by striking him with leprosy whereby he was forced to live in
isolation for the remainder of his life. What happened? Uzziah became
proud and changed his inner vision in opposition to the visions
of God.
So it is for us today. We must be humble to make God's vision our
vision. Any vision opposing the visions of God (divine revelation)
condemns us to certain damnation.
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