The Wisdom of God

These words are from the first epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, which was written for the admonishment, instruction, but also for the encouragement of the congregation of the Lord in a large and corrupt city situated in a heathen country where there were many dangers for the young believers. Corinth was a harbor city, a place of merchandise, of luxury and of wealth, but also of great impudence, fornication, drunkenness and many other such sins. It was also a city of human wisdom, as there were colleges and universities where many students were trained and educated. It was not a biblical instruction, but instead pagan teachings and heathen philosophies were presented. Teachers laughed at the concept of the resurrection of the body, and thus also the young believers in Corinth could so easily be influenced by this.

This month the doors of many elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities were again opened and many of our young people started or continued their studies, preparing for a position in society. It is a benefit when we have the opportunities and also the talents to receive an education. Happily there are possibilities in various areas to receive this instruction at our own schools. May the Lord support and guide our teachers in their very responsible task, and may He bless their labors also to the welfare of our young people and of our families.

Especially when these studies are pursued at colleges and universities, the opportunity to receive a biblically founded education is often missing and the young people are in a sphere of biblical criticism or of attacks upon their up-bringing, so that it will not be easy for them. We hope that there may be found in our midst a conviction of the necessity of support for them — with our prayers, with honest conversations, and with further scripturally-based instruction. The dangers of humanistic opinions and of modern theological views must be pointed out to them.

Paul knew the time and circumstances in which the Corinthians lived and the dangers which threatened that flock. The Lord had richly blessed his labors and had fulfilled His encouraging promise: “I have much people in this city.” But after Paul’s departure to Ephesus, he had heard discouraging and sad reports regarding the situation in the congregation in which he had labored for eighteen months with rich and blessed fruits. Sinful heathenish customs had appeared, disorders and divisions were revealed, and false teachers tried to make the apostle suspect in the eyes of the believers. Selfish and proud persons sought to take the places of honor in their midst, glorifying themselves.

It was for this reason that Paul wrote them, declaring himself to be a divinely appointed messenger of Christ. He thanked Cod for the favor shown Corinth. But after this introduction he wrote about the divisions in the church and defended his mode of preaching. He stated that among them one said, “I am of Paul,” others “I am of Apollos” or “of Cephas,” while there are also those who say, “I am of Christ.” But this was a snare of Satan in order to make divisions in this young congregation. Objections had also been brought in against the manner of Paul’s preaching. They said, “Your preaching is not with wisdom of words; it is not a doctrine taught by human reason”— that is, the wisdom of this world.

Paul had not come to them “with excellency of speech or of wisdom” when he declared unto them the testimony of God. But in Corinth there were some who were impressed by the gifts of the heathen orators and the knowledge of heathen teachers. However, Paul then declares that human wisdom is insufficient to lead men to a saving knowledge of God, for that knowledge is a mystery revealed within the gospel of free grace. He said, “We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness.”

This is also true in our days. The gospel of free grace is foolishness unto many, is despised by those who have become so wise in their own eyes that they cannot accept such a message. Thus the influence of heathen wisdom, explained with excellency of speech by learned teachers, creates dangers for our young people, as it also did for the young flock of Corinth. The instruction in which God is glorified and man is humbled, wherein salvation by the perfect work of Christ is proclaimed, and in which all human work, even of a religious nature, is revealed as being totally corrupt and insufficient, is not agreeable to the desires of our flesh.

Paul then declared that in the gospel is proclaimed the true wisdom in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world. The wisdom of God is a hidden wisdom— “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.” The wisdom of God is displayed in finding such a wonderful way wherein His virtures are glorified and by which lost sinners will be reconciled with Him. It is a way wherein He would give up His only begotten Son as a sacrifice, an offering for sin, so that His righteousness would be satisfied and He could show His love and favor unto His enemies. But it is also a way wherein hell-worthy sinners, dead in trespasses and sins, should be quickened and drawn near unto Him.

It is a hidden wisdom, and that will be experienced by convinced sinners, who will learn to cry out of the depths unto God: “Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” They see the reality, “If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” For them the way of salvation is hidden; they have heard that there is a Savior, but they do not know Him. It is a mystery that lost sinners, who can only increase their debts can yet be reconciled with a righteous God, Who also is the heavenly Judge, in a way of complete satisfaction of His offended Majesty, and with reconciliation of such rebels and enemies.

They cannot stand—the way of escape is hidden for them. The gospel has to be unveiled by the enlightening instruction and revelation of the Spirit, but it pleases the Lord at His time to make known that way unto them. Then a door of hope is opened in the valley of Achor and they may see that the Lord Himself has given a perfect Lamb, slain before the foundation of the world. Oh, what an incomprehensible wonder it is when that hidden wisdom is revealed unto them! How precious Jesus then becomes in their eyes, and they say: “He is altogether lovely!”

Paul testified: “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit,” and they are taught by the Great Teacher in this mystery. It is a teaching that exalts the Lord and humbles the sinner. I would like to see many, both young and old, at this school of free grace, to be discovered to your guilt, your misery, your inability to pay—there to learn to know God’s righteousness, but also to be instructed in that way of God’s wisdom by the blood of the Savior Jesus Christ, wherein sinners will be saved. Those students will not become wise in their own eyes, but poor and needy. They will be humbled before God and also before men, and the time will come that they may confess in true admiration: “But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.” Oh, that poor, despised and afflicted people may also proclaim that wisdom of which Paul spoke: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery.”

It is an eternal wonder that it pleased the Lord, that not the angels, the ministering spirits, but sinful, weak children of Adam may become His messengers. May the Lord grant us such young people, who, conquered by His power and instructed by His Spirit, may confess His Name and proclaim His Wisdom.

Paul, although confessing to be the chief of sinners, was “a chosen vessel unto God to bear His Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” And although the enemies of God and of His church, who do not accept such a wisdom wherein God only receives the honor of His work and wherein man is humiliated, try to destroy this work, Paul may defend the truth against all their attacks, to the glory of God and the edification of His people.

The Lord will be glorified and will take care of His honor also in this dark age, and His poor and afflicted people will be instructed, guided, preserved, protected and will receive eternal salvation and inexpressible gladness and peace. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard what the Lord will give unto them. For that wisdom of God also reveals the way “unto our glory.” Here on earth they will be left in the midst of the world as an afflicted and poor people, despised by many historical believers, also of today, but the beggars such as Lazarus, full of sores, will be carried into Abraham’s bosom and will receive a place of honor and glory.

May we and our children seek that instruction by grace, and may we be taught in that wisdom. Ask for that place at His school, young and old, for there is still room for you. Then we will remain a needy student at His school. Then the Lord will guide, provide, keep and bring into His palace. There they will acknowledge Him for all His mysterious ways of wisdom and give Him all the honor. Then all mysteries will be solved and revealed, and they may worship Him Who has given such an undeserved benefit.

Rev. C Vogelaar is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of St. Catherines, Ontario.

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