September 10-
We live in an age of complete information overload. With the press of a button we can access more data than the world has ever had before. But are we wiser? Or are we more confused with possibilities, more opinionated with facts, and more disconnected from each other, from our Creator, and from nature? To be wiser would be to act on understanding and this increased awareness of who we are, why we are here, and what we should be doing, in light of creation and eternity. As we see over and over, facts without faith do not provide identity, meaning, or purpose.
In the apostle Paul’s day the city of Corinth was also a place of information overload. As a thriving crossroads of trade routes, it boasted cultural and religious knowledge, with all sorts of temples to the gods and places of learning and philosophical debate. But this “wisdom” created challenges and conflicts within the young church. Paul wrote this stern letter to correct their beliefs, ministry practices, and moral behavior in light of biblical principles. And he started by correcting their thinking about wisdom.
“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. We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began...However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—”
1 Corinthians 2:4-7, 9 NIV
True wisdom involves the knowledgeable and love-guided practice of godly living. It is very different from society’s “wisdom” and is foolish to others since its focus is Jesus Christ. Wisdom is a gift from the Holy Spirit, who helps us gain God’s perspective and empowers us to act on it.
Though we gain information through media, the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, and so on, we do not gain wisdom. Nor does wisdom come from the Kardashians or athletes or stars or politicians or other people of status with eloquent, motivational speaking skills. Yet we often follow the culture in wanting teachers and church leaders to be entertaining, witty, and attractive, as if those qualities would guarantee our learning. Thus, we need Paul’s correction as much as the Corinthian believers did. And we certainly need to make sure that the persons we talk about, those we speak of with high regard are those that have the wisdom of Christ.
Lord Jesus, thank you for this short chapter of second Corinthians that teaches us to respect wisdom, but not the so-called wisdom of the world. Thank you for helping us to know the only true wisdom comes from you, our wise King. We are so bless with the promise that no eye has seen, nor ear has heard what wonders await for us, those who love you. How gracious you are and how very great your grace for us must be! We love you Father and we ask today for your rich for our friends and family who are suffering from all sorts of illness and disease. We ask for you to surround them and let them know you are with them this day. We ask for healing, physically, spiritually and mentally—shatter the darkness. We praise and worship you for you are Jehovah Rapha! Amen and amen.
Love you dear one,
Pam
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