The Truth about Wisdom

“However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man
the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:6-12
 
Wisdom is something I’ve prayed to have and prayed for my children to have for years on a daily basis.  Why?  Because I am convinced that to live life without wisdom would be to miss out on what the “abundant” life is all about.  Wisdom gives us insight into God’s work in our lives, His overarching plan for us, and the lives of those we love.  It also gives us insight into the motives and purposes of man.

Paul speaks of the wisdom of God as a mystery, and that it was hidden.  Think back to the days of Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Elijah and Elisha.  These great men of God, though they were close to God, were not given the full plan of His future for man.  Though they knew of a Savior to come, they were not given the full plan.  God’s wisdom was hidden from them.  Today we can read their life story and see how they fit within God’s plan for man.  We know that the sacrifice of Isaac was a foretelling of the sacrifice of Christ.  We know that Jacob and Esau signify the saved and the lost.  But in their lifetime, these great men of God were not granted that wisdom.

Considering that, we have to understand that God’s wisdom is still hidden in great part to us who are alive.  Why?  Because His great plan is not yet completed, and will not be until the end of time.  “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” is a great promise that we will not be given the full story here on this earth.  God’s word is timeless, as we are still living in the frame of not seeing, hearting, or even imagining what He fully planned.

Yet, God reveals Himself to us through His Spirit, the Holy Spirit living in those that believe in Him and love Him.  “The deep things of God” such as His character, His will, His plans, are made understandable to us through His Spirit.  Yet, we are not given them in full, but as Paul later puts it in 1 Corinthians 13:9-12, we know in part and prophesy in part.  We see as though through a dark glass, able to make out only part of what God is doing in our life or the lives of others.  His Spirit reveals the “things freely given to us by God”, which we call blessings, mercy, and grace.  Sometimes they are tangible, and sometimes intangible. 

But without His Spirit to discern the mystery, we have no understanding of them.  This is why those that do not believe in God or have not submitted to Him through salvation are often restless in life, filled with chaos and confusion.  Without salvation, there is no Holy Spirit residing in them to reveal God. Without salvation, there can be no peace (Ephesians 2:14).

Father, let us all come to know You as Father.  Take us deeper into the mysteries of You.  Let us understand Your ways and Your plans and find peace for the anxiety and ramblings of our souls.  Thank you Father that one day all the mystery will be gone and we will see you face to face. Amen.