2017-11-03
Good Morning Dear Ones,
These word studies are helping us deal with some words commonly used in the Scriptures as they were meant by the Bible’s writers in their time. That is why I have been commanded by the Holy Spirit to continue sharing them. The next word is philosophy, Strong’s gives “philosophy” (number 5386) and breaks the word down to the Greek, “philos,” meaning “lover of”, and “sophia” as “wisdom.
It’s implied in COL 2: 4 and 1 COR 1: 17-2: 16. COL 2: 4, “I tell you, then, do not let anyone deceive you with false arguments, no matter how good they seem to be.” We can select the notions of human wisdom in the second passage given above. The cross has no power [1 COR 1: 17]. The message about Christ’s Atonement on the cross is foolish (19). It will destroy the wisdom of the wise and frustrate their intelligence [(19) and IS 29: 24]. In (22) we are told that “Jews demand miracles (signs) for proof, while Greeks look to wisdom” [MT 12: 38]. Proclaiming the crucified Christ is unthinkable to Jews, who find it offensive and Greeks who see it as nonsense (23). God chose what the world thinks is nonsense to shame the wise, and He chose what the world considers weak to shame the powerful (27). God’s teaching destroys what the world thinks is important (28). Christ is not our wisdom, but the thoughts of man is (30).
1 COR 2: 1 and 1 COR 2:13 mention the use of long words from “great learning of human wisdom.” Faith rests on human wisdom (3). Verse (6) implies that God is losing His power, while the powers that rule the world are not. What Paul has described as “God’s secret power chosen before the creation for our glory” is not known to believers in human wisdom. Otherwise, Christ would have never been crucified [(7-8); IS 64: 4]. Those relying on human wisdom don’t have the ability to understand the things of the Spirit, as those depending on the Holy Spirit do [1COR 2: 14-16; PR 20: 22; IS 40: 13; JER 17: 9]. It’s clear that the opposite of all this human wisdom is what Christ gives us. Those who rely on human wisdom feel there are selected people are superior, because of special visions they have. They practice angel worship and display false humility [COL 2:18-19a].
1 JN 4: 4 tells us, “But you belong to God, my children, and have defeated the false prophets because the Sprit Who is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world.” If nothing more in the Scriptures gives us comfort, that should! We can find more good teaching in 1 COR 3: 18-23. Two citations in (19-20) give us insight: JOB 5: 13, which says, “God traps the wise in their cleverness,” and PS 94: 11, which says, “God knows the thoughts of the wise are worthless.” This passage ends with a reminder that we belong to Christ-more comfort coming our way.
PRAYER: O Lord, we have looked at these words with an eye to understanding how precious Your word really is to us. Our very intimate and connected relationship to You, through Your Son and the Holy Spirit, makes us blessed indeed. While we never deserved this kind of favor, Your unconditional love for us washes over every aspect of our lives [EPH 2: 8-10]. You have drawn us from the depths of the slimy pit and have made us alive in Christ, placing us on a safely on a Rock [Christ -PS 40: 1-2; RO 6: 8, 11]. We no longer suffer the misery that belief in erroneous human philosophies gives us. Such a pervasive gift could only be given to us by One so kind, good, and generous as You. Your supernatural power is unmatched. As we take time to consider the enormous importance to our lives of Christ’s Atonement, we are deeply grateful. We offer You our utmost praise and thanks from a focus of the love that Christ has taught us. We prayerfully beseech You to continue being present in our lives, walking beside us, teaching us, even carrying us when we can’t walk on our own. We acknowledge You are the Lord of our lives, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: Every devotion I write has no real value, if there are no “take-away” lessons from it. That is why, it’s time in this “Knowing God” series to reconnoiter with some of these lessons. That will be the subject the Holy Spirit leads me to begin writing next week. As I have aged, there are some noticeable differences in what bothers me about the world in which I live. Unsafe speed is one. This exerts itself in snap judgments, excessive aggression behind the wheel of a car, materialism, rudeness, and greed. Older people who always discuss their physical ailments and seem to have nothing more important on their minds is another. When I want to think about and discuss ideas, the latest news, dogs, and opinions from my reading, others want to hover over their latest material acquisitions or their aches and pains. I’m blessed to be very interested in my handwork (crochet, knitting, and sewing), pursuits that have given me many fulfilling hours. I lead a group which meets weekly and does these things for people in crises at our church. I harbor the wish that more people in our world shared these interests. For the enjoyment and emotional uplifting of our congregation, God has given me and my husband the opportunity to sing in our choir. That’s a blessing which allows all of us to bless others. It’s these intangible benefits to others that help us to feel we have a God-given mission to serve Him. The last thing that bothers me are loners, people who don’t see friendships as blessings. The friendships in my life are precious to me, and I know they are God-ordained and forged. By far, I am imperfect and in need of God’s direction and intervention. But, I can count on Him to be here for me all the time. Praise be to our Lord!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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