Recap: Jesus, the Word of God.
God’s Word is True and Powerful. Jesus is the Word. Jesus is True and Powerful.
Flashback to all the memories of grade 5, when we had that substitute teacher who had us memorize John 1. I think that was neat that of all the things to memorize, he chose to have us remember John 1… even if we cheated at the time, it stuck to me, and sticks to me until now.
Jesus, the Wisdom of God
facilitated by Dox as usual
23 Thus says the LORD:
“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-19
Salvation is a gift to be received, not a price to be earned. The penalty of sin was fully paid by Christ. Paul had to emphasize this because of all the intellectualism going on in the church at the time.
Strife that was happening in the church and is still going on, will always have its root in pride. Paul counters the promotion of man’s ‘wisdom’ with a lengthy testimony of the superiority of the wisdom of God, and the Word of God.
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.1 Corinthians 1:20-21
/* Remembering when Mom countered with this verse when we tried to rebuke them for leaning in a little too hard on this one lady who eventually ended up being a scammer. It’s far deeper than that.
22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 (NKJV)
The Gentiles were not aware of how offensive their sins were. The Jews were too fixated on the ‘goodness’ of their works.
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.1 Corinthians 1:24-25
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16
Christ is the power of God, Christ is the wisdom of God.
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
God does not put a premium on ignorance. Those who are ‘wise’ by human standards run the risk of falling into pride and all its consequences.
Understanding faith eliminates pride.
God’s grace continues to project that we are getting what we don’t deserve, and we are not getting what we deserve.
God’s holiness continues to project that our works, our wisdom and power on their own are as filthy rags… But on the other hand, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
The Lord’s Wisdom Far Surpasses The Wisdom Of The World.
I say the Lord’s Wisdom is infinitely superior to the ‘wisdom’ the world boasts of.
30 Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.1 Kings 4:30
Wisdom separate from the Lord exists.. but it’s the wisdom Solomon received from the Lord that caused him to excel.
Human wisdom also has its limits. It can only operate on the realm of what is seen, tested and proven.
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.2 Corinthians 4:18
We have peace that goes beyond human understanding which cannot be seen. We have favor that opens doors. The blessing of the Lord resting upon you can’t be seen but it’s real.
Human wisdom cannot bring us to know God.
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:20-21
Human wisdom, religion and philosophy cannot save you.
/* Looking back, revelation came in the form of tragedy, grace and grief. The earthquake, that one time at the Raisin Bread with Mom and Dad, and remembering Dad in McDonalds Insular.
In Times Of Trouble, Some Seek Power While Others Seek Wisdom.
22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
/* Is there something wrong with analysis? I’m being led to think that brilliance ought to be differentiated from wisdom. We aren’t telling anyone to dumb it down, we’re pointing people to faithing it up.
God didn’t wait for the world to understand; Christ was sent in His perfect time, to act.
If we need a miracle, it is Jesus who is the power of God. He is not a personality to be analyzed, but to be trusted.
Jesus is the Word of the Lord, and the Word of the Lord is not to be analyzed, more than it is to be trusted. It’s to be read with a lens more for understanding in a relational
mindset.
IN CHRIST IS BOTH POWER AND WISDOM FOR US TODAY!
Everything you need is already yours in Christ.
Jesus is the Person of Wisdom.
1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.Colossians 2:1-5
God doesn’t dump all His wisdom on us at once – because (1) we would probably forget all about Him, and (2) we couldn’t handle it in the first place.
/* Remember the prodigal son.
Hold Fast To Jesus, The Source Of Our Every Supply.
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. Colossians 2:16-19
Jesus didn’t dwell on what was missing, He focused on the Father.
God Has Laid Up Wisdom For Our Every Need.
19 Oh, how great is Your goodness,
Which You have laid up for those who fear You,
Which You have prepared for those who trust in You
In the presence of the sons of men!Psalms 31:19
‘laid up‘ – God has already prepared His goodness ahead of time.
1 “At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book.
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.
4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
Daniel 12:1-4
Streams. There are increasing numbers of streams of human knowledge and wisdom, but there are streams of divine wisdom… and it’s all found in Jesus, the Word of God.
Of note, of meditation:
Polluted pools of water versus rivers of living water.
Martha and Mary. Prodigal and Prideful.
22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.Colossians 2:22-23
30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Ignorance may be bliss, but he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.
Don’t dumb it down – glory in the Lord.
The thing is, it’s come to a point that things are ‘dumbed down’ for us already – when, even when we try, we really have nothing else to do but to pray and to trust in the Lord.
Christ is our Wisdom. We have the Mind of Christ, in partnership with our own brain.
νοῦς
nous
nooce
Probably from the base of G1097; the intellect, that is, mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication meaning: – mind, understanding. Compare G5590.
Not works unto grace, nor is it thoughts unto the mind of Christ. It’s the other way around.
The grace leads to work.
But we don’t stop thinking. We don’t dumb it down. Christ is my Partner as much as He is my Source.
Scams are cancelled in the name of Jesus. Amen.
We are no longer cursed with scams. Halleluyah.
We perish for lack of knowledge… but we meditate on the Word of the Lord, and we continue to bear much fruit.
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