God’s Wisdom
The wisdom of God is Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:24, 30). For this reason the world does not understand God (1 Cor 2:8).
The spirit of the age is always the same. People think they are wise. They imagine themselves to be the greatest generation in human history. They boast in themselves and their accomplishments (1 Cor 1:29). Despite the futility of their minds (Eph 4:17), they insist on being teachers. They are the blind leading the blind into the pit (Mt 15:14).
When God saves one of the ungodly (Rom 5:6), He grants them His own wisdom. He gives them the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), by giving them the Spirit of Christ (Rom 5:5). Having the knowledge of Christ, illumined by the Spirit (2 Pet 3:18), there is a basis for the Christian faith. Believers in Jesus are not wise decision makers, using logic and the wisdom of men to make a good choice; rather, faith in Christ rests in the power of God (1 Cor 2:5).
The knowledge of God has a long history of being a hidden mystery (1 Cor 2:7). In diverse places and at various times, the one true God revealed Himself to certain people. These people then spoke of what had been revealed to them by God (Heb 1:1). God then sent His eternal Son, who became the incarnate Word (Jn 1:14).
For God to become a man, it is considered foolishness to the natural man (1 Cor 1:18; 2:14). People simply cannot comprehend the wisdom of God, choosing the weak things of the world (1 Cor 1:27), to accomplish His eternal purpose (Eph 3:11).
God’s purpose is always to bring glory to Himself (Jn 12:28). The natural man is always competing with God, attempting to steal glory from God…for himself. The spirit of the world inspires the people of the world to follow the way of the world. The way of the world is sin and rebellion against God (Rom 3:23; 5:12).
Human hearts are wicked (Jer 17:9). Along with a depraved mind, the human will only sins all the time (Gen 6:5). Thus, human judgment is distorted. Simply put, human wisdom is grossly deficient, especially when it comes to knowing God (1 Cor 1:21). Theologians employ the terms “totally depraved” to describe the human condition, apart from Christ (Jn 15:5).
It takes an act of God to change one’s spiritual disposition (Eph 2:8–9). The apostle Paul wrote, “But by His doing, you are in Christ Jesus (1 Cor 1:30).” To be in Christ Jesus means juxtaposition. This transformation is described in many ways, in the Bible. It is a transfer from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of God’s Son (Col 1:13). It is a rescue from the status of lost, to one of being found. It is a move from slavery to freedom, from blindness to vision, from hunger to satisfaction.
God predestined in ages past that He would reveal Himself in this manner (1 Cor 2:7). The truth of Christ’s person and work is hidden from the wise and intelligent of this world (Mt 11:25). It is granted to infants, to the simple, and to the poor. There are exceptions, by His grace — and revelation reaches all nations, tribes, and tongues (Rev 5:9; 7:9).
As for the employment of ministers of the Gospel, Paul assures us that none of us is anything (1 Cor 3:7). We are merely unprofitable slaves (Lk 17:10), who are instruments employed by God’s Spirit, to accomplish His will and work (Phil 2:13). God does not share His glory with another (Is 42:8; 48:11), and for this reason, Christians never take credit for what Christ in us has accomplished (Is 26:12). It is all the grace of God (1 Cor 3:10), when God adds to His church and causes us to grow (1 Cor 3:6–7).
God, in His wisdom, executed redemption through Jesus Christ. In a demonstration of wisdom and power, God confounded His enemies with the foolishness of weak things. Those who do not love this truth remain blind to the brilliance of Gospel light (2 Cor 4:3–4; 2 Thess 2:10).
In this, God ensures that His saints will only boast in the Lord (1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14), for the great things He alone has done, to bring His salvation to His beloved (Titus 3:5).
For this reason there should be no divisions in the church (1 Cor 1–3), as was so problematic at Corinth. There is unity in the Spirit, and the bond of peace, when believers walk humbly with God in their hearts (Mic 6:8; 1 Pet 5:5–6). Knowing we are nothing but beneficiaries, of the good works of our Triune God, we give thanks to God for His infinite wisdom (Dan 2:23; 1 Thess 5:17; Rev 7:12).
It is the joy of every saint to have more grace and more revelation from God (2 Pet 3:18). This, too, is the work of God’s Spirit, who ever helps us to understand Christ Jesus, our Lord. Without the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 10:45), graciously given so we might believe and be saved, we would still be spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1).
Christian, here is your impetus for unity in Christ’s church. God is at work, executing His predetermined plan (Acts 2:23). He has done this through Christ, a most unique means, understood by His redeemed, to whom it has been revealed (1 Cor 2:10), by His Spirit. There remains a veil for many, who do not see this hidden mystery, but do not despair, the veil is removed in Christ (2 Cor 3:14), according to His free will and gracious choice (Jn 1:12–13).
By His doing, He lifts the veil so that His beloved bride, His church, can see Him face to face. The means, the method, and the message are all by God’s design, conceived by the wisdom of God, spoken by us and believed by you. Behold your God, in the face of Christ, and see the wisdom and power of God!
David Norczyk
Missoula, Montana
August 5, 2022
