The knowledge wave

Last year New Zealand, saw a surge in the political promotion
of an economic panacea called the "Knowledge Wave." We were exhorted as a
country to catch this wave and ride its crest to prosperity. For all their
political eloquence the promoters of the wave cannot escape the fact that they
are not espousing knowledge. They are actually touting technical competency
based in computing literacy.

There is limited truth driving this wave so you won't find
wisdom in its body or righteousness in its crest. The objective is prosperity,
which is not in itself an undesirable end but prosperity without Gods
righteousness can only be disastrous. The drive to prosperity is based on
exploitable knowledge rather than wisdom. The inevitable outcome is our
societies continued fall from grace. As the writer of the 'Paradox of our
Times' observed "We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make
a living, but not a life. We've added years to life, not life to years... we
have steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes
but more divorce, fancier houses but broken homes. These are days of quick
trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight
bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill."

We live in an age where we know much but understand little we
lack Gods wisdom. True wisdom and the understanding that comes with it, is
accepting Gods counsel in our lives. There is no substitute for the sufficiency
of the Scriptures for teaching and guidance.

When instructed by Paul to take the whole armor of God, it is
truth that is donned before the breastplate of righteousness. The order is
deliberate; firstly we must have on Gods truth before we can be protected by the
righteousness of our Saviour.

Once our collective knowledge of the truth transforms itself
into the wisdom of God then righteousness becomes manifest. When I was young my
father counseled me with the truth that all one needs to know is in the Bible.
Being headstrong and reckless the wisdom of those words did not become accepted
until I was much older. This in itself is not remarkable as the passing of time
usually heralds the coming of maturity and understanding resides happily in the
minds of the mature.

Our duty is to ensure that we are thoroughly equipped to
receive Gods guidance in our lives. An economic prosperity without Gods truth
will be a bitter harvest and not deliver the society characterized by grace and
peace in abundance.... " through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."
2 Peter 1:2

Wisdom requires diligence by meditating on God's word daily.
We must read out of sheer obedience, even when it is the last thing we wish to
do. The memorization of scripture will help us to be guided according to Gods
will. Learn Gods word so that you can discern the truth and from truth become
knowledgeable, through your knowledge become wise and from that wisdom be
righteous in the Lord.

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life ...."
Proverbs 11:30