Man’s Wisdom, God’s Wisdom

bday_63-2After Riley’s football game yesterday afternoon, we gathered at Christian and Bridget’s home champions-2for my birthday dinner. They surprised me with an ice cream cake. The family joined for a picture after yesterday’s game with “Coach Christian” and “star” Riley.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:4,5 NIV

Outside of the Book of Proverbs, the first few chapters of 1  Corinthians reference wisdom more than any other book of the Bible. We read of the contrast between God’s wisdom and man’s wisdom.

God’s wisdom can’t compare with human wisdom. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV) God’s wisdom is far greater than human wisdom. The Greeks, like many today, value and almost deify human wisdom. I remember those who claimed that all problems can be solved by the education that comes from human wisdom and understanding.

Human wisdom doesn’t understand God’s ways.  “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Corinthians 1:19 NIV) Paul goes on and asks, Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20 NIV) Human wisdom, does not solve the problems of the “human predicament” that are only solved by God’s ways. 

Human wisdom does not draw us closer to God. “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21 NIV) God’s way don’t “make sense” to the human mind. God’s “mysteries” are not comprehended or understood through human wisdom. Paul of his preaching,

“…we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.  None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:7,8 NIV)

God’s wisdom and power is reflected in the life and work of Christ. “…but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God….Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30 NIV) Paul said, Jews seek signs, Greeks seek wisdom, but God choose to send His Son in human flesh as the “sign” and the expression of “God’s wisdom” that confounded both. Life in Christ was received by those who would respond not according to human intellect, but according to their “spirit.”

God’s wisdom, erodes trust in human wisdom. Paul declared, My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:4,5 NIV) God has done what He has done, to bring people to Himself through Christ, “so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Corinthians 1:29 NIV)

True revelation comes from the Holy Spirit to our “spirits” and not the mind. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:13,14 NIV)

We can say the “true enlightenment” comes from the having the “mind of Christ” through faith in Him. The ways of God can’t be explained or understood, outside of divine revelation from the Holy Spirit. We lay hold of the promises and life in Christ through our faith in Him.

Prayer for today… Lord, thank You for choosing the cross to reflect divine wisdom. What doesn’t “make sense” to human minds, is what You use to confound those who trust in their own wisdom. Thank You that when we choose faith and trust, you illuminate our human minds with a wisdom beyond this world.