God’s Wisdom Revealed. 1st Corinthians 2:6-10 The hidden wisdom of God has always been ready to be revealed at His chosen time. There were false teachers, including Gnostics, who infiltrated the early gatherings of God’s people, claiming there was a body of knowledge accessible only to an inner circle of teachers like themselves. In contrast to their wicked, self-exalting beliefs, was the fact that God chose to reveal the mystery that every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ will share in the glory He has [Rom.8:17]. Believers in Christ are children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, and they will share in His glory. That means that while we are here in this sinful world, we will also share in His sufferings.
In some places and in some cases, God's people neglect to pause and remember "the hole of the pit from which we have been dug, and the rock from which we have been hewn." Reflecting on how God brought us into the blessings of hearing the Gospel in the first place, and how He in His wisdom unfolded the way of salvation for us, is an essential exercise for every child of God. "The wisdom of God" in making salvation possible for all mankind is beyond the understanding of the natural man. Yet, for those who are saved, we see the beauty and simplicity of the Gospel. For those who are mature, or at least maturing in Christ, there is always more understanding unfolding of the depths of God's grace. God's wisdom surpasses that of all men combined. What has been hidden from the powers of darkness that permeate the world system and are unable to bring peace to earth has been revealed in the Gospel.
God has His own plan and reveals what He chooses when it fits His purposes, not on a schedule we create. Jews and Gentiles coming together in the body of Christ?! How extraordinary that is, and who would have thought such a thing could happen?! Jews were chosen since the time of Abraham to represent God on earth. They failed in this, and now Jews and Gentiles, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, represent Him all over the world! What a marvelous mystery! Every believer in Christ is part of that body, and every church made up of believers serves as visible evidence of God’s light in this dark world.
God has a timetable by which He reveals what He plans to use to bless the world. At just the right time and place, God sent the right Person—His only begotten Son—into the world so that we might live through Him. What was hidden came to light through the apostles whom God sent with His message of salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So, they went out preaching "Jesus Christ and Him crucified." Those chosen individuals had the plan of salvation clear in their minds and hearts because they knew Jesus—whom they had seen crucified and were eyewitnesses of the suffering and resurrection of the Savior, who now was alive and risen from the dead "that He might be Lord."
This Lordship was not promoted by the edge of the sword or marching armies, but by the Gospel, which is "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." The wisdom of God is the message that changes the hearts and lives of those who hear it and believe in Him, the subject of the Gospel. While this is for God's glory, it also includes the reflected glory brought to God by the great company of believers who have personally trusted in the Lord Jesus. This is not a marching army of hot-headed terrorists seeking to change the world themselves. Instead, it is a joyful, grateful multitude of redeemed souls who care about the lost—men, women, and children—and love the Lord Jesus, love others, and want to see them saved. What glory this is even today, and what glory will be seen when we all share with the Lord Jesus Christ His reign of "peace on earth, goodwill toward men."
Those who governed the nation when our Lord was here would not have acted against the Lord Jesus Christ if they had believed in Him and understood the consequences of their actions. Then and now, people are responsible for choosing to believe or not believe in Him. When someone places their personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit reveals the mystery of God’s truth to them.
Whether the unknowing princes of the world are people like Pilate and the leaders of Israel, or the devil and his host, I don't know for sure. Perhaps it means both. The ignorance they showed in crucifying Christ does not excuse their actions. Pilate knew that the Lord Jesus was an innocent and just man. The Jewish leaders had delivered Jesus to be killed because of envy. Satan is opposed because he still wants to be like God and claim the souls of men who will follow him. He wants to remain the "god of this world." A successful and lasting remedy for sin will bring peace to everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus and to earth when Christ comes again. The great victory Christ achieved on the cross brought defeat over Satan, sin, and death.
Their eyes strain as they peer through the darkness to see if their enemies have arrived. These are the men who refused to heed God's grace. They had killed the prophets and now seek to kill God's only Son. Hidden from their eyes and hearts was the truth that He came to bless them. If they had known, they never would have begun down that path of unrighteousness.
Pilate and Herod, in positions of authority, chose the path of expediency rather than basing their decisions on the clear truth that He was exactly who He claimed to be. The consequences of their choices they will have to endure forever. What we decide now is not quickly over. Despite their beliefs, there was no sincere effort to do what was right, and the opportunity to do so was quickly lost.
The arch-enemy of God still dreams of controlling the souls of men. He manipulates those who only see human conditions, hoping they will follow him willingly. But God's wisdom shines brightly and clearly across the world. Those who hear and believe are given eternal life, and the banner of the Gospel is proudly displayed.
The glow of that glory, which comes from God's wisdom, transforms lives through the power the Gospel provides. To those who have been shown the mystery of God, a message begins whose impact never ends. God, by His Spirit, grants holy insight to those with open hearts to the message of grace. As they grow in faith, spiritual vision allows them to love and serve the Lord Jesus by faith.
The "wisdom of God" in revealing the plan of salvation through the atoning death of Christ on the cross has overcome the power of every potential enemy. Every person can, through faith, trust in the One who took away sin by His sacrifice—guiding their life and soul in death. Today, in the lives of God's people, God is unfolding a whole new life for them, revealed day after day as their lives are guided by His will. Careers change. Perspectives on life shift. Attitudes towards others transform. Ambitions evolve as each believer begins to experience "the things God has prepared for them that love Him."
An assembly of saints, like the one in Corinth, is a group of people who love God, and there is great potential for such a fellowship to worship and serve the One we love. When we realize we are not our own and have been bought with a price, we can experience the glory of God now and forever. The wisdom of God will keep us in the warmth of His glory, which is shown in the Gospel and its results. The life of an assembly is influenced by the things God has already prepared for those who love Him.
It is essential that a group of people gathered in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ remember that what we have can become ineffective unless the ministry of the Holy Spirit is free to work. The believers in Corinth began focusing on themselves and their favorite preachers, which caused their eyes to shift away from the Person of Christ and the wisdom of God. We should learn from their example that every day can be profitable and meaningful when we focus on Jesus Christ and Him crucified. That is the true wisdom of God.
The Holy Spirit searches all things not to learn them, for He is omniscient. Instead, He understands the nature of God and the depths of His mercy, grace, love, and every character trait of the infinite God because He is God. He can reveal this to us in ways and words that we can understand. He inspired “holy men of old” who believed in and served God to write down divine revelation. That is what we have in the Bible – the words of God! What effect does the work of the Holy Spirit have on those who are saved? What change does He produce that makes us so different from those in whom He does not dwell?
He has convicted us of sin and led us to repentance. Remember the prayers, the sighs, and the tears; as His truth resonated in my ears. Remember the concern on the faces around me as the Spirit spoke loudly to my fears. He has convinced us with the Word and helped us believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember the words on the pages of truth as He turned the light on for me. Remember the moment when, deep in my heart, Jesus’ death fully met my plight. He has claimed us through the new birth and brought us into God’s family. Remember the relief, the end of grief, and the joy that new life brought. Remember the tears of joy that flowed as we sang the hymn, “Oh, Happy Day.”
He has changed us through the new nature and brought us into a new state of being (justified). Do you remember the desire He inspired in me to follow His way? Do you recall new prayers, new hymns, and new cares as we chose to obey His will? He has marked us by sealing us and promised us a new inheritance. Remember, I’m His—no longer my own; I’ve been paid for and sealed as His own. Remember, I’m safe, secure, and assured—just as certain as if I were at home.
He clarifies to us by bearing witness with our spirit and enabling us to manifest His fruit. Remember that the Spirit will act in power, enabling me to do His own will. Keep in mind that despite the evidence of a changed life making me want to do God’s will, that won’t necessarily stop doubts in others. He challenges us by giving us God’s Word so that we might know and do what is right. So, step out and face all that opposes you with grace; and hold the truth of God in your hand. It’s by Spirit-power, through each passing hour, that we travel through enemy land as those through whom God has revealed the mystery of His grace.