From 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Our understanding of who God is and how He works is completely limited by one thing.  There are other things that can further limit our understanding, but ultimately we are limited because we can only understand the things that He has told us about Himself.  This is what Paul is talking about in these verses from Corinthians.  The wisdom and authority of the world cannot lead us to understand God.  Take, for example, the central event of all Scripture – the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  That doesn’t look like victory, that doesn’t look like salvation, that doesn’t look like something an almighty being would do – according to the wisdom of the world. But the wisdom that we are given by the Spirit looks at the crucifixion, and many other things about God, and concludes that they do make perfect sense.

This means a couple things for us today.  First, it should instill in us a sense of humility.  There is no place for us to get inflated egos about how much we know about God, or how familiar we are with Scripture, or how experienced we are with church.  Any understanding or knowledge or wisdom we have spiritually is a gift from the Holy Spirit, it doesn’t come from us and we have no reason to boast in it.  Second, it should encourage us to put ourselves in the path of the Spirit.  If we want to understand God and His will for our lives better (and I’m assuming those reading this do have that desire), then we should regularly put ourselves in those places that He has promised to be – in the Word, in the community of believers, in church, and in participation with the Sacraments.  We put ourselves in those places and pray that through the Spirit’s work we would grow closer to God.

Focus on God

We are reminded in these verses that the Spirit blesses the people of God with transcendent wisdom.

Function in Our Lives

We are encouraged to have a humble attitude in all spiritual things.

Topics to Pray About                                                            

  • Thank God for the wisdom of faith that He has given you.
  • Confess to God the times you think of things through a worldly lens or get an inflated sense of your own abilities.
  • Ask God to bless His people with faithful wisdom.

In His Service,

J. LeBorious