God’s wisdom v. human wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:6–8 (NIV) — 6 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. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

There is wisdom about the gospel. But it’s not human or worldly wisdom. It’s God’s wisdom. And Paul tells us several things about this wisdom.

1.     We declare God’s wisdom. It’s from God. It originated in the mind of God and the wisest philosophers or strongest kings cannot discover it.

2.      A mystery that has been hidden. In the Old Testament the fullness of the gospel was hidden. It was revealed through Jesus Christ and through the church.

3.     God destined … before time began. God already had the plan fully mapped out before anything was created. This is no haphazard, serendipity plan. It was conceived, put into motion, and will continue on to completion.

4.     God destined for our glory. Paul reminds us again and again that God’s salvation is for God’s glory. This plan also brings us glory, and into God’s glory.

 How do we go about understanding this wisdom of God? How do you go about learning how God is at work? How do you connect with the mind of God?

There’s an important word here – it’s the first word in verse 6 and the second word in verse 7: “we”. Who does that include? Is that just Paul and the Apostles or does it include others? Does it include you?

“We speak … We declare.” How do we do this? How do you do this? How comfortable are you about telling others what God is doing in your life?

Perhaps you don’t feel qualified to speak the wisdom of God. Perhaps you don’t know how. Perhaps you are just afraid. If that describes you then read the devotionals from the past two days over again and ask God to help you.