1Corinthians 2:6-10 REMEMBER THE GOSPEL In some places and in some cases, God's people neglect to stop and remember "the hole of the pit from which we have been dug, and the rock from which we have been hewn." To go back over how God brought us into the blessings of hearing the Gospel in the first place, and how God in His wisdom unfolded the way of salvation to us, is an important 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 understand the beauty of the simplicity of the Gospel. For those who are mature, or at least maturing in Christ, there is a constant unfolding of an understanding of the depths of the riches of God's grace. God's wisdom goes beyond that of all men put together. What has been hidden from the powers of darkness that permeate the world system, and that are totally unable to bring peace to earth, has been revealed in the Gospel.
God has a timetable by which He brings into light that by which He plans to bless the world. At just the right time, in just the right place, God sent just the right Person - His only begotten Son - into the world that we might live through Him. What had been 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 moved out preaching "Jesus
Christ and Him crucified." Those appointed people had the plan of salvation clear in their minds and hearts because they knew Jesus, whom they had seen crucified and had been "eyewitnesses" of the suffering and the resurrected Savior, who was now alive and risen from the dead, "that He might be Lord."
This Lordship was not promoted by the edge of the sword or by marching armies, but by the Gospel which is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." The wisdom of God is the message that changes the hearts and lives of those who hear it and believe in Him who is the subject of the Gospel. This is for the glory of God, it is true, but it includes the reflected glory brought to God by the great company of believers who have personally believed on the Lord Jesus. This is not a marching army of hot-headed terrorists seeking to change the world themselves. This is a joyful, grateful multitude of redeemed souls who, in appreciation for the lost souls of men, women, and children. and a deep love for 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."
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 the Lord Jesus was an innocent and just man. The Jewish leaders had delivered Jesus to be killed because of envy. Satan is in opposition 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 permanent remedy for sin will bring peace to everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus and to the earth when Christ comes again. The great victory Christ accomplished on the cross brought defeat over Satan, sin, and death.
The "wisdom of God" in revealing the plan of salvation through the atoning death of Christ on the cross has defeated the power of every potential foe. Every person is able in faith to trust themselves in life and their soul in death to the One who put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Now, in the lives of God's people today, God is unfolding a whole new course for them, revealed day after day as life is controlled by the will of God. Occupations change. Outlook on life changes. Attitudes toward other people change. Ambitions change as each believer begins to experience "the things God has prepared for them that love Him."
An assembly of saints like that one in Corinth is a group of people who love God, and there is great potential for such a fellowship of people to worship and serve the One we love. When we realize we are not our own and have been bought with a price, we are able to experience the glory of God now and will be able to forever. The wisdom of God will keep us in the warmth of the glory of God that is displayed in the Gospel and its results. The life of an assembly is affected by the things God has prepared even now for them that love Him.
It is essential that a company of people gathered to the Lord Jesus Christ in His name, remember that what we have can become ineffective unless the ministry of the Holy Spirit is free to work. The Corinthian believers started looking at themselves and at their favorite preachers, and took their eyes off the Person of Christ and the wisdom of God. We need to learn from them that every day can be a profitable and good one when we focus on Jesus Christ and Him crucified. That is the true wisdom of God.
Their eyes are straining as they look through the darkness To see if their nemeses have come. These are the men who, to God's grace, would not hearken And set about to kill God's only Son. Hidden from their eyes as well as their hearts Was the truth that He came here to bless. If they had known, they never would start Down that path of such unrighteousness.
Pilate and Herod, in places of authority Chose the path of expediency instead Of basing their decisions on the obvious reality That He was exactly who He had said. The result of their choices they will endure forever What we choose now is not quickly done. No matter what they thought, there was no earnest endeavor The opportunity to do right very quickly was gone.
The arch-enemy of God still has unfulfilled ambition To take control over the souls of men. He manipulates those who see only the human conditions
Hoping they will all be willing to follow after him. But the wisdom of God like a brilliant light Shines in its glory all over the world. Those who hear and believe are given eternal life And the banner of the Gospel is there unfurled.
So the glow of that glory that comes from God's wisdom Changes lives by the power the Gospel releases. To those who the mystery God revealed through them Began a message the impact of which never ceases. God has by His Spirit given holy insight To those whose hearts are open to the message of grace As they mature in the faith there is spiritual eyesight That enables them to love and serve the Lord Jesus by faith.
"Father, I thank Thee for revealing the mystery of the Gospel to whosoever will may come. In Thy great wisdom Thou hast arranged that it be told worldwide. I know Thy servant who has just passed into Thy presence by way of death has told Thy Gospel daily for over 50 years. I pray the impact of his ministry will continue. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
1Corinthians 2:9, 10. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God.”
THE EFFECT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. What effect does the work of the Holy Spirit have on those who are saved? What effect does He produce that has made us so different from those in whom He does not dwell?
He has convicted us of sin and brought us to repentance. Remember the prayers, the sighs, and the tears; as His truth bore down on my ears? Remember the concern on the faces around, as the Spirit spoke loudly to my fears?
He has convinced us by the Word and brought us to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember the words on the pages of truth; as to me, He turned on the light? Remember the moment when deep in my heart, Jesus’ death met fully my plight?
He has claimed us by the new birth and brought us into God’s family. Remember relief, the end of the grief; the joy that new life He did bring? Remember the tears of joy that did flow, as “Happy Day” then we did sing?
He has changed us by the new nature and brought us into a new state (justified). Remember the desire, He then did inspire, in me to follow His way? Remember new prayers, new hymns, and new cares; as His will we choose to obey?
He has classified us by sealing us and promised us a new inheritance. Remember, I’m His, no longer my own; I’m paid for and sealed as His own. Remember I’m safe, secured, and assured; just as sure as if I’m at Home.
He clarifies us by bearing witness with our spirit and enabling us to manifest His fruit. Remember this fact that the Spirit will act in power to do His own will. Remember, please do that, the evidence too; will doubts in others make still.
He challenges us by giving us God’s Word that we might know and do what is right. So, step out and face all that opposes, with grace, and the truth of God in your hand. For it’s by Spirit-power, for each passing hour; that we travel through enemy-land.
“O gracious and Loving Father: I thank Thee that Thou didst send the Lord Jesus into the world to save sinners like me. And I thank Thee that He sent the Holy Spirit into the world to enlighten me, regenerate me, “born” me, and dwell in me to empower me to do Thy sweet will. And I thank Thee that He has seen fit to send me to my world that the people who live here might hear the Gospel. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”