Thursday, August 24, 2006
1 Corinthians 2:6-9 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
WE SPEAK THE WISDOM OF GOD
Do you find it tragic when people handle the Word of God as if it were no different than any word of man, than any novel or fictitious account? I'm sure you do, because you treasure the Bible and recognize that it is the very Word and Wisdom of God.
The Apostle Paul reminds us here that the word we have been given by God to speak was not developed by the men of this age, or any previous era of man. It is not wisdom developed by the rulers of this time or any other. What we believe does not find its origin in the mind of a man, but in God. When we tell what the Bible says God has accomplished through the cross of Christ, we are not introducing anything new, but simply conveying the wisdom that God has expressed in His Word.
This is one of the things that ought to give us confidence to speak. It is God's Wisdom, not ours. When people defy the will of God and reject the Word we bring to them, they are defying and rejecting God's wisdom, not your opinion or mine. We should be bold not because we are personally convinced of our understanding, but because that wisdom is unassailable having come from God. It is the fact of its origin that should make us bold to speak.
We should also be bold to speak because this wisdom of God is a message that was once unknown. In the beginning God did not choose to reveal completely His plan to save mankind in full. God gave hints down through history (which is his-story) and then when the time was right He sent His Only Son and through Him revealed His plan to mankind. The Gospel of Christ answers the deep questions of mankind. It opens eyes to see God's glory; ears to hear and hearts to believe and trust in Him.
Speaking of hidden, did you notice the gem that is hidden right here in verse eight? Notice all that is said about the Savior Jesus in the words: "they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory." What does this say about Jesus? In one word "crucified" it lays before us a vivid reminder that He was human, put to death like a runaway slave. In the same breath it also calls Him the Lord of Glory -- revealing again that He was also fully God. The more we mine the Scriptures the more the Spirit of God opens our eyes, ears and hearts to see, believe and rely on Him.