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Pt 8 The Hidden Wisdom
Pt 8 The Hidden Wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:6–8
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
We note the apostles words in the first few verses of this chapter and come to see with clarity that in every way Paul had no desire to present the gospel of Christ through the wisdom of the scholar, nor through the artistry of speech, nor does he even give the appearance of greatness before them. In verse 3 he states;
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
In declaring the “testimony of God” he didn’t come with excellency of speech, in fact he gives the impression that anything that would scratch the ears of his hearers he would play down.
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words” (v4)
The reason for it was simple and he gives it in the end of that same sentence, “but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power“.
In 2 Cor 4:7 he writes;
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
And so we see immediately that the power of the Gospel of Christ is not in man, God has the charge, God has the power, God has the wisdom and all is contained in the miracle of the Gospel.
All he looks for is faithful men and women that would proclaim it.
It was a HIDDEN WISDOM that is now revealed.
It was HIDDEN for FOUR THOUSAND YEARS, hidden but in plain sight.
It has been revealed for almost TWO THOUSAND YEARS.
And God scours the Earth to find men, women, boys and girls to simply share that once hidden wisdom.
Once he finds that humble vessel, he will fill it with his words. that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Pray.
The Wisdom of Nought
1 Corinthians 2:6
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
Paul begins the passage with the word “Howbeit”, in other words, ‘nevertheless’, or ‘not withstanding’, ‘yet having said that’…”we speak wisdom among them that are perfect”.
While he did not hold that the wisdom of this world has any value to save the Lost, YET he states that he does indeed “speak wisdom among them that are perfect“, simply, among them that belong to Christ.
The expression “Them that are perfect” is an expression of them that are saved, them that now have “the mind of Christ“, we see that in the last verse of the chapter;
1 Corinthians 2:16
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The wisdom of the gospel is now made clear to them who have believed it by faith. Them who’s hearts have cried out to be saved by God, them who have trusted that Jesus died for their sins and that they now have eternal life.
It is as this point that everything concerning life and eternity is made clear. It is at this point that the “hidden wisdom” is truly revealed. It is at this point the sleeping are awakened, the blind, see!
Ephesians 5:14
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
The wisdom gained when the light of the gospel has filled the heart is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from the wisdom of man that only sufficient to damn him. It is a completely distinct wisdom that is of this world, a wisdom he claims “that comes to nought“. There is a wisdom of “nought“, of no value, no ultimate good end.
Jordan Peterson just published a new book simply tittled “We Who Wrestle With God”, I have not read the book yet, but I have heard his most recent interviews where he is still trying to grapple with the truth of God, but cannot escape the “wisdom of this world…that comes to nought“. I expect, through the title alone, that he has yet to have believed the Gospel that the “wisdom of God” may have enlightened the eyes.
Pray for him beloved, for once his heart is filled with the knowledge of the gospel, everything will make sense to him. But for now he sees through a glass darkly.
You see, “the world by wisdom knew not God” (Ch 1:21).
If the wisdom of the world cannot lead a person to God, then it is a WISDOM of NOUGHT, a wisdom of NO VALUE!
A child has greater wisdom.
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 18:3
If all that you have lived for, if all that you have achieved, if every experience of life that you have learned, does not lead you to Christ, you remain damned, and all the wisdom gained by this world is a WISDOM OF NOUGHT.
There is no wisdom in the world that can have any value whatever if that wisdom cannot lead a person to Christ.
If in the end of all that searching after wisdom, a person remains lost, then it is A WISDOM OF NOUGHT.
If all the studies in the world, if all the books of the world are read, considered and consumed by the reader, and by that wisdom they still “knew not God“, then it is a WISDOM OF NOUGHT.
Mark 8:36
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
There is no ultimate value of any pursuit in life if that pursuit does not first lead you to the Lord!
Whatever that pursuit is, whatever years of dedication, years of study, years of effort and work it has taken to gain all the qualifications of the world, if in the end you are STILL ETERNALLY DAMMED it equates to “NOUGHT“, indeed, “LESS” than “NOUGHT”.
Philippians 3:7–8
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
It truly is incredible to think about it. I have read many philosophers, modern and old and for all their intellect and all their postulating of the reality of life, that statement of Paul echoes truth, “the world by wisdom knew not God” (1 Cor 1:21).
It is not that the philosophers of the world have not diligently sought after God. In fact, it’s the greatest search in the world.
Mortimer Adler, the Compiler and Chief Editor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica’s compilation of the Great Books of the Western World stated it plainly in his introduction to the topic of God;
With the exception of certain mathematicians and physicists, almost all the authors of the great books are represented in this chapter. In sheer quantity of references, as well as in variety, it is the largest chapter. The reason is obvious. More consequences for thought and action follow from the affirmation or denial of God than from answering any other basic question.[1]
In this introduction Mr Adler goes on to say;
In addition to the primary question of God’s existence, there are all the problems of the divine nature and of the relation of the world and man to the gods or God. The solutions of these problems cannot help influencing man’s conception of the world in which he lives, the position that he occupies in it, and the life to which he is called.
The whole tenor of human life is certainly affected by whether men regard themselves as the supreme beings in the universe or acknowledge a superior—a superhuman being whom they conceive as an object of fear or love, a force to be defied or a Lord to be obeyed.[2]
There is certainly a HIDDEN WISDOM that leads one to God, a Spiritual Wisdom, but there is a “wisdom of this world…that comes to NOUGHT“. (1 Cor 2:6)
The Wisdom of God
1 Corinthians 2:6–7
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
Remember, Paul is writing to the Church, to YOU. To them who have believed the hidden wisdom of the gospel. He does not speak to you as the Natural Man that he addresses in verse 14, for they cannot obtain the spiritual things that you have found through faith.
1 Corinthians 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
What are “spiritually discerned“? The Things of the Spirit of God!
There is a Spiritual Discernment that the natural man simply cannot have UNTIL he believes the Gospel.
This is true also of the Bible. Until an individual is born again, until an individual has the Spirit of God who authored the Word of God abiding in him, he cannot understand the Bible, he can not compare spiritual thing with spiritual.
It tells us there in verse 12
1 Corinthians 2:12–13
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
We CANNOT hope to understand the Bible UNLESS the Holy Ghost, who authored the Bible, abides in us, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual“.
You MUST BE SAVED to even BEGIN to understand this book.
In the Old Testament, God has structured matters where they who are in rebellion against God, are not given eyes to see. They are blinded.
Isaiah 29:10–11
10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
We see this exact same truth respecting Israel from the time they rejected Jesus as their messiah. From the moment they rejected Christ, they were blinded, a veil was placed over their hearts so that they cannot see the wisdom of God.
Paul testifies to this;
Romans 11:25
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Turn to 2 Cor 3
2 Corinthians 3:12–16
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
You see, they must FIRST come to Christ BEFORE that ‘vail is done away”. This is confirmed tin the next verse, take a look
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Beloved, be careful respecting this truth, for if you are intent of rejecting God’s words, If you are content to ignore the Bible, to leave it as a permanent fixture on the shelf and only bring it with you to Church on the Lords day, like Israel, you will not be able to discern the truth of a matter, you too will be WILFULLY BLINDED BY WILFUL IGNORANCE.
Paul addressed those Christians who long remained babes.
Hebrews 5:12
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Read your Bibles beloved lest you become almost as blind as the Natural man.
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
The greatest limitation to man’s wisdom is that we apply it constantly to the temporal. We apply it for the here and now, while God continually has his perspective on the hereafter.
Isaiah 55:8–9
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The wisdom of God exceeds the wisdom of men and so we are always to consider matters from his perspective.
Beloved, if you can understand this truth as a Christian, you will understand so much more and not be so quick to judge matters in error.
We judge much in error because we will not consider matters from the perspective of God. From the perspective of the eternal, but only from the here and now.
When Job struggled with all that had happened to him. When his lost his wealth, when he lost his family, when he lost his health but RETAINED HIS WIFE AND THREE FRIENDS, he cried out of wrong being done to him…according to his perspective.
Job 19:23–24
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
Job 31:35–37
35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. 37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.
And how did the almighty answer him?
Job 38:2–6
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
Beloved, if your desires is to attain to the wisdom of God, you need to read his book, to see all of life from HIS PERSPECTIVE.
The Wisdom of God is revealed through the Word of God!
The Hidden Wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:6–7
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
The gospel of Jesus Christ is not preached with “mans wisdom“, we see this testified to in verse 4 and in the previous chapter.
1 Corinthians 1:27
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Oh this wonderful gospel is far too precious for it to be gleaned through the means of the wise man. It is a HIDDEN WISDOM that cant be revealed by natural means.
The philosopher cant attain to its wisdom by the pondering of books.
Far too high is its wonder for the natural man to aspire to.
Where does the hidden wisdom begin for the natural man?
What is the first state of the heart that might reveal the beginning of wisdom?
Fear.
Specifically, fear of God.
Psalm 111:10
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Proverbs 9:10
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 15:33
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
When the soul simply cries out to God to save it, God is there to save it.
When the heart cries out for mercy, God extends mercy through the shed blood of his Son, our Saviour.
When Christ changes the heart, so too is the mind enlightened with the wisdom of God.
This is where it BEGINS!
This is the hidden wisdom that CANNOT BE ATTAINED by the frame of the mind.
It cannot be gained by an algebraic equation, it is not felt through the music of an instrument, nor taught by the precepts of men.
It is received by faith, and through the preaching of the cross.
1 Corinthians 1:21
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1 Corinthians 2:7
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
From the Garden of God to the cross of Calvary, the hidden wisdom of God was in plain sight and yet covered in mystery.
The word mystery is presented as that which was always there but not revealed.
The gospel was always there and would not be revealed until the third day after the Cross.
It was the resurrection of Christ that confirmed the covenant.
The promise God had made to man from that ancient time in the garden when he addressed ORIGINAL SIN.
Genesis 3:15
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
A cryptic consideration until Christ.
It took a Virgin to make perfect sense of the passage, for the seed is not in the woman but the man. Yet here it is presented in the women. Only the virgin birth can reveal this mystery.
Isaiah 53 gives the single greatest representation of the Gospel in the Old Testament, and yet even then it remains shrouded in mystery,
“how can messiah die?”.
“Though it is for him to be a sacrifice for sin, but how can we know it is finished?”
“How can we know death is swallowed up in victory?”
Only the resurrection of Christ can accomplish this.
The gospel was always there, but it was shrouded in mystery. It is the hidden wisdom’
Beloved, the gospel was hidden from the time of Adam for two thousand years. It was hidden in Old Testament Israel for two thousand years and it has now been revealed for almost two thousand years….
But are you still hiding it?
The Revealed Wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:7–8
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Give consideration for a moment to the state of Satan just prior to the Ressurection of Christ.
He had tempted the Lord in the wilderness, 40 days and 40 nights our Lord was out there and here is the devil, the TEMPTER, says scripture;
Matthew 4:3
3 …. If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:6
6 ….If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Matthew 4:8–9
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Certain things in the Old Testament scriptures were obviously understood by Satan, but would not be REVEALED until AFTER Christ rose from the dead.
Satan’s interpretations of the scriptures respecting messiah were quite astounding, for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee There he is quoting the Psalmist in Psalm 91:11-12, as was able to pull out one of the most obscure references to apply to the Son of God.
And yet for all that, the HIDDEN WISDOM was not REVEALED WISDOM UNTIL after the Resurrection of Christ.
The Cross would have been the devils crowning achievement to foil the plan of God. But had the WISDOM OF GOD been known by him, had that which was REVEALED through the resurrection of Christ, been known, he would not have moved men to destroy him.
even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Had the devil known that the victory he thought was his, would be turned about to be his greatest defeat, he would never have moved the “princes of this world” to “have crucified the Lord of Glory“.
I can imagine the astonishment. I could imagine Satan when Christ arose completely perplexes and then suddenly, like a rush of ice cold water, everything in the Old Testament that confused him, comes to light.
All of the foreshadowings in the Old Testament, like drops of small bread crumbs that no doubt perplexed the devil, God was leading to this very end.
We spoke of the “seed of the woman” in Genesis. But there are so many more examples.
The rock of Horeb in the wilderness, why strike it it once to bring forth water, but petition it the second time?
Because the rock that followed them was Christ we are told in 1 Cor 10:4, Once smitten for sin, once petitioned for salvation.
The brazen serpent on the staff of wood, lifted up in the wilderness. All those bitten by serpents, who simply beheld it, were healed.
Jesus said this represented himself when speaking to Nicodemus in John 3,
John 3:14
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Now, all who look to the cross shall be saved from sin.
What about the blood curse pronounced upon Solomons throne from King Jeconiah? How shall it be that ANY man shall prosper sitting upon the throne of David, born to this line of kings?
There is so much REVEALED WISDOM that is explained ONLY IN CHRIST and ONLY through the RESURRECTION of Christ, that REVEALED the truth of the GOSPEL of Christ.
But the one that I find most incredible is given us in Jeremiah 22, but is answered with so many other passages of the Bible coming together.
Jeremiah 22:29–30
29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD. 30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
If the messiah is to come from the line of David, and the line of the Kings of Judah, surely this blood curse will not prosper him?
But while the royal line is seen coming through from Solomon to Joseph as witnessed in Matthews generational account, the BLOODLINE comes through Solomons brother Nathan to Mary in Lukes account.
The VIRGIN Birth not only mended the sin nature, it also checkmated the blood curse. The legal and royal line came through Joseph, while the bloodline came through the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ is the only one to fulfil the prophecy to have been the rightful king of the jews and the saviour of the world.
Yet all this would only have perplexed the Devil.
Until the resurrection!
With a suddenness of multiple imageries hitting the devil at the same time. The tapestry of the Gospel comes together is one huge sweep, THE WISDOM OF GOD FINALLY REVEALED.
The gospel is the perfect wisdom of God for the salvation of mankind.
The wisdom of God is revealed IN US who have believed the Gospel, shall we now hide it?
Does your life truly testify to the world the truth of the Gospel of Christ?
Is the HIDDEN WISDOM of God REVEALED BY you in life, or are you still hiding it?
The events of the world around us testifying each and every day that the Lord is coming VERY SOON.
The Gospel alone REVEALS THE WISDOM OF GOD.
[1] Mortimer J. Adler, Ed., The Syntopicon: An Index to the Great Ideas, Great Books of the Western World, Second Edition., (Chicago; London; New Delhi; Paris; Seoul; Sydney; Taipei; Tokyo: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1990), 1:433.
[2] Mortimer J. Adler, Ed., The Syntopicon: An Index to the Great Ideas, Great Books of the Western World, Second Edition., (Chicago; London; New Delhi; Paris; Seoul; Sydney; Taipei; Tokyo: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1990), 1:433.
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By Hope Baptist ChurchPt 8 The Hidden Wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:6–8
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
We note the apostles words in the first few verses of this chapter and come to see with clarity that in every way Paul had no desire to present the gospel of Christ through the wisdom of the scholar, nor through the artistry of speech, nor does he even give the appearance of greatness before them. In verse 3 he states;
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
In declaring the “testimony of God” he didn’t come with excellency of speech, in fact he gives the impression that anything that would scratch the ears of his hearers he would play down.
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words” (v4)
The reason for it was simple and he gives it in the end of that same sentence, “but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power“.
In 2 Cor 4:7 he writes;
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
And so we see immediately that the power of the Gospel of Christ is not in man, God has the charge, God has the power, God has the wisdom and all is contained in the miracle of the Gospel.
All he looks for is faithful men and women that would proclaim it.
It was a HIDDEN WISDOM that is now revealed.
It was HIDDEN for FOUR THOUSAND YEARS, hidden but in plain sight.
It has been revealed for almost TWO THOUSAND YEARS.
And God scours the Earth to find men, women, boys and girls to simply share that once hidden wisdom.
Once he finds that humble vessel, he will fill it with his words. that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Pray.
The Wisdom of Nought
1 Corinthians 2:6
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
Paul begins the passage with the word “Howbeit”, in other words, ‘nevertheless’, or ‘not withstanding’, ‘yet having said that’…”we speak wisdom among them that are perfect”.
While he did not hold that the wisdom of this world has any value to save the Lost, YET he states that he does indeed “speak wisdom among them that are perfect“, simply, among them that belong to Christ.
The expression “Them that are perfect” is an expression of them that are saved, them that now have “the mind of Christ“, we see that in the last verse of the chapter;
1 Corinthians 2:16
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The wisdom of the gospel is now made clear to them who have believed it by faith. Them who’s hearts have cried out to be saved by God, them who have trusted that Jesus died for their sins and that they now have eternal life.
It is as this point that everything concerning life and eternity is made clear. It is at this point that the “hidden wisdom” is truly revealed. It is at this point the sleeping are awakened, the blind, see!
Ephesians 5:14
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
The wisdom gained when the light of the gospel has filled the heart is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from the wisdom of man that only sufficient to damn him. It is a completely distinct wisdom that is of this world, a wisdom he claims “that comes to nought“. There is a wisdom of “nought“, of no value, no ultimate good end.
Jordan Peterson just published a new book simply tittled “We Who Wrestle With God”, I have not read the book yet, but I have heard his most recent interviews where he is still trying to grapple with the truth of God, but cannot escape the “wisdom of this world…that comes to nought“. I expect, through the title alone, that he has yet to have believed the Gospel that the “wisdom of God” may have enlightened the eyes.
Pray for him beloved, for once his heart is filled with the knowledge of the gospel, everything will make sense to him. But for now he sees through a glass darkly.
You see, “the world by wisdom knew not God” (Ch 1:21).
If the wisdom of the world cannot lead a person to God, then it is a WISDOM of NOUGHT, a wisdom of NO VALUE!
A child has greater wisdom.
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 18:3
If all that you have lived for, if all that you have achieved, if every experience of life that you have learned, does not lead you to Christ, you remain damned, and all the wisdom gained by this world is a WISDOM OF NOUGHT.
There is no wisdom in the world that can have any value whatever if that wisdom cannot lead a person to Christ.
If in the end of all that searching after wisdom, a person remains lost, then it is A WISDOM OF NOUGHT.
If all the studies in the world, if all the books of the world are read, considered and consumed by the reader, and by that wisdom they still “knew not God“, then it is a WISDOM OF NOUGHT.
Mark 8:36
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
There is no ultimate value of any pursuit in life if that pursuit does not first lead you to the Lord!
Whatever that pursuit is, whatever years of dedication, years of study, years of effort and work it has taken to gain all the qualifications of the world, if in the end you are STILL ETERNALLY DAMMED it equates to “NOUGHT“, indeed, “LESS” than “NOUGHT”.
Philippians 3:7–8
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
It truly is incredible to think about it. I have read many philosophers, modern and old and for all their intellect and all their postulating of the reality of life, that statement of Paul echoes truth, “the world by wisdom knew not God” (1 Cor 1:21).
It is not that the philosophers of the world have not diligently sought after God. In fact, it’s the greatest search in the world.
Mortimer Adler, the Compiler and Chief Editor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica’s compilation of the Great Books of the Western World stated it plainly in his introduction to the topic of God;
With the exception of certain mathematicians and physicists, almost all the authors of the great books are represented in this chapter. In sheer quantity of references, as well as in variety, it is the largest chapter. The reason is obvious. More consequences for thought and action follow from the affirmation or denial of God than from answering any other basic question.[1]
In this introduction Mr Adler goes on to say;
In addition to the primary question of God’s existence, there are all the problems of the divine nature and of the relation of the world and man to the gods or God. The solutions of these problems cannot help influencing man’s conception of the world in which he lives, the position that he occupies in it, and the life to which he is called.
The whole tenor of human life is certainly affected by whether men regard themselves as the supreme beings in the universe or acknowledge a superior—a superhuman being whom they conceive as an object of fear or love, a force to be defied or a Lord to be obeyed.[2]
There is certainly a HIDDEN WISDOM that leads one to God, a Spiritual Wisdom, but there is a “wisdom of this world…that comes to NOUGHT“. (1 Cor 2:6)
The Wisdom of God
1 Corinthians 2:6–7
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
Remember, Paul is writing to the Church, to YOU. To them who have believed the hidden wisdom of the gospel. He does not speak to you as the Natural Man that he addresses in verse 14, for they cannot obtain the spiritual things that you have found through faith.
1 Corinthians 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
What are “spiritually discerned“? The Things of the Spirit of God!
There is a Spiritual Discernment that the natural man simply cannot have UNTIL he believes the Gospel.
This is true also of the Bible. Until an individual is born again, until an individual has the Spirit of God who authored the Word of God abiding in him, he cannot understand the Bible, he can not compare spiritual thing with spiritual.
It tells us there in verse 12
1 Corinthians 2:12–13
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
We CANNOT hope to understand the Bible UNLESS the Holy Ghost, who authored the Bible, abides in us, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual“.
You MUST BE SAVED to even BEGIN to understand this book.
In the Old Testament, God has structured matters where they who are in rebellion against God, are not given eyes to see. They are blinded.
Isaiah 29:10–11
10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
We see this exact same truth respecting Israel from the time they rejected Jesus as their messiah. From the moment they rejected Christ, they were blinded, a veil was placed over their hearts so that they cannot see the wisdom of God.
Paul testifies to this;
Romans 11:25
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Turn to 2 Cor 3
2 Corinthians 3:12–16
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
You see, they must FIRST come to Christ BEFORE that ‘vail is done away”. This is confirmed tin the next verse, take a look
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Beloved, be careful respecting this truth, for if you are intent of rejecting God’s words, If you are content to ignore the Bible, to leave it as a permanent fixture on the shelf and only bring it with you to Church on the Lords day, like Israel, you will not be able to discern the truth of a matter, you too will be WILFULLY BLINDED BY WILFUL IGNORANCE.
Paul addressed those Christians who long remained babes.
Hebrews 5:12
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Read your Bibles beloved lest you become almost as blind as the Natural man.
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
The greatest limitation to man’s wisdom is that we apply it constantly to the temporal. We apply it for the here and now, while God continually has his perspective on the hereafter.
Isaiah 55:8–9
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The wisdom of God exceeds the wisdom of men and so we are always to consider matters from his perspective.
Beloved, if you can understand this truth as a Christian, you will understand so much more and not be so quick to judge matters in error.
We judge much in error because we will not consider matters from the perspective of God. From the perspective of the eternal, but only from the here and now.
When Job struggled with all that had happened to him. When his lost his wealth, when he lost his family, when he lost his health but RETAINED HIS WIFE AND THREE FRIENDS, he cried out of wrong being done to him…according to his perspective.
Job 19:23–24
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
Job 31:35–37
35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. 37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.
And how did the almighty answer him?
Job 38:2–6
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
Beloved, if your desires is to attain to the wisdom of God, you need to read his book, to see all of life from HIS PERSPECTIVE.
The Wisdom of God is revealed through the Word of God!
The Hidden Wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:6–7
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
The gospel of Jesus Christ is not preached with “mans wisdom“, we see this testified to in verse 4 and in the previous chapter.
1 Corinthians 1:27
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Oh this wonderful gospel is far too precious for it to be gleaned through the means of the wise man. It is a HIDDEN WISDOM that cant be revealed by natural means.
The philosopher cant attain to its wisdom by the pondering of books.
Far too high is its wonder for the natural man to aspire to.
Where does the hidden wisdom begin for the natural man?
What is the first state of the heart that might reveal the beginning of wisdom?
Fear.
Specifically, fear of God.
Psalm 111:10
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Proverbs 9:10
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 15:33
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
When the soul simply cries out to God to save it, God is there to save it.
When the heart cries out for mercy, God extends mercy through the shed blood of his Son, our Saviour.
When Christ changes the heart, so too is the mind enlightened with the wisdom of God.
This is where it BEGINS!
This is the hidden wisdom that CANNOT BE ATTAINED by the frame of the mind.
It cannot be gained by an algebraic equation, it is not felt through the music of an instrument, nor taught by the precepts of men.
It is received by faith, and through the preaching of the cross.
1 Corinthians 1:21
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1 Corinthians 2:7
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
From the Garden of God to the cross of Calvary, the hidden wisdom of God was in plain sight and yet covered in mystery.
The word mystery is presented as that which was always there but not revealed.
The gospel was always there and would not be revealed until the third day after the Cross.
It was the resurrection of Christ that confirmed the covenant.
The promise God had made to man from that ancient time in the garden when he addressed ORIGINAL SIN.
Genesis 3:15
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
A cryptic consideration until Christ.
It took a Virgin to make perfect sense of the passage, for the seed is not in the woman but the man. Yet here it is presented in the women. Only the virgin birth can reveal this mystery.
Isaiah 53 gives the single greatest representation of the Gospel in the Old Testament, and yet even then it remains shrouded in mystery,
“how can messiah die?”.
“Though it is for him to be a sacrifice for sin, but how can we know it is finished?”
“How can we know death is swallowed up in victory?”
Only the resurrection of Christ can accomplish this.
The gospel was always there, but it was shrouded in mystery. It is the hidden wisdom’
Beloved, the gospel was hidden from the time of Adam for two thousand years. It was hidden in Old Testament Israel for two thousand years and it has now been revealed for almost two thousand years….
But are you still hiding it?
The Revealed Wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:7–8
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Give consideration for a moment to the state of Satan just prior to the Ressurection of Christ.
He had tempted the Lord in the wilderness, 40 days and 40 nights our Lord was out there and here is the devil, the TEMPTER, says scripture;
Matthew 4:3
3 …. If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:6
6 ….If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Matthew 4:8–9
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Certain things in the Old Testament scriptures were obviously understood by Satan, but would not be REVEALED until AFTER Christ rose from the dead.
Satan’s interpretations of the scriptures respecting messiah were quite astounding, for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee There he is quoting the Psalmist in Psalm 91:11-12, as was able to pull out one of the most obscure references to apply to the Son of God.
And yet for all that, the HIDDEN WISDOM was not REVEALED WISDOM UNTIL after the Resurrection of Christ.
The Cross would have been the devils crowning achievement to foil the plan of God. But had the WISDOM OF GOD been known by him, had that which was REVEALED through the resurrection of Christ, been known, he would not have moved men to destroy him.
even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Had the devil known that the victory he thought was his, would be turned about to be his greatest defeat, he would never have moved the “princes of this world” to “have crucified the Lord of Glory“.
I can imagine the astonishment. I could imagine Satan when Christ arose completely perplexes and then suddenly, like a rush of ice cold water, everything in the Old Testament that confused him, comes to light.
All of the foreshadowings in the Old Testament, like drops of small bread crumbs that no doubt perplexed the devil, God was leading to this very end.
We spoke of the “seed of the woman” in Genesis. But there are so many more examples.
The rock of Horeb in the wilderness, why strike it it once to bring forth water, but petition it the second time?
Because the rock that followed them was Christ we are told in 1 Cor 10:4, Once smitten for sin, once petitioned for salvation.
The brazen serpent on the staff of wood, lifted up in the wilderness. All those bitten by serpents, who simply beheld it, were healed.
Jesus said this represented himself when speaking to Nicodemus in John 3,
John 3:14
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Now, all who look to the cross shall be saved from sin.
What about the blood curse pronounced upon Solomons throne from King Jeconiah? How shall it be that ANY man shall prosper sitting upon the throne of David, born to this line of kings?
There is so much REVEALED WISDOM that is explained ONLY IN CHRIST and ONLY through the RESURRECTION of Christ, that REVEALED the truth of the GOSPEL of Christ.
But the one that I find most incredible is given us in Jeremiah 22, but is answered with so many other passages of the Bible coming together.
Jeremiah 22:29–30
29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD. 30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
If the messiah is to come from the line of David, and the line of the Kings of Judah, surely this blood curse will not prosper him?
But while the royal line is seen coming through from Solomon to Joseph as witnessed in Matthews generational account, the BLOODLINE comes through Solomons brother Nathan to Mary in Lukes account.
The VIRGIN Birth not only mended the sin nature, it also checkmated the blood curse. The legal and royal line came through Joseph, while the bloodline came through the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ is the only one to fulfil the prophecy to have been the rightful king of the jews and the saviour of the world.
Yet all this would only have perplexed the Devil.
Until the resurrection!
With a suddenness of multiple imageries hitting the devil at the same time. The tapestry of the Gospel comes together is one huge sweep, THE WISDOM OF GOD FINALLY REVEALED.
The gospel is the perfect wisdom of God for the salvation of mankind.
The wisdom of God is revealed IN US who have believed the Gospel, shall we now hide it?
Does your life truly testify to the world the truth of the Gospel of Christ?
Is the HIDDEN WISDOM of God REVEALED BY you in life, or are you still hiding it?
The events of the world around us testifying each and every day that the Lord is coming VERY SOON.
The Gospel alone REVEALS THE WISDOM OF GOD.
[1] Mortimer J. Adler, Ed., The Syntopicon: An Index to the Great Ideas, Great Books of the Western World, Second Edition., (Chicago; London; New Delhi; Paris; Seoul; Sydney; Taipei; Tokyo: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1990), 1:433.
[2] Mortimer J. Adler, Ed., The Syntopicon: An Index to the Great Ideas, Great Books of the Western World, Second Edition., (Chicago; London; New Delhi; Paris; Seoul; Sydney; Taipei; Tokyo: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1990), 1:433.
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