"For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent ('intelligent').'" (1 Corinthians 1:19)
Today's text is based on yesterday's, of what a later verse calls, "the foolishness of the message preached." We have, "received a kingdom," not a religion. Our text is a Kingdom statement, not a religious one. The Bible affirms the virtue of wisdom and understanding. What, "The Word of God," rejects, however, is when you and I attempt wisdom and understanding and intelligence apart from, "The Word of God," Himself, Jesus.
Religion of men is, "wisdom of the wise, and...understanding of the prudent." This is a reason Muhammed had no problem slaughtering people who disagreed with him; this is a reason some have established homosexual "churches," can approve of those who murder babies in their mothers' womb, while preaching "salvation," praying, raising hands in "worship." They will all come, "....to nothing...."
The Word for, "prudent," is also translated, "intelligent." Those considered wise, understanding, prudent, intelligent are all, "foolishness"-philosophy. Jesus tells us that He, "will destroy...and bring to nothing," these, "foolishness," attempts to find God, understand the universe, life, why man is here. The Bible "answers" all these questions, at least to the degree you and I can "understand."
Here is what, "The Word of God," says about our Kingdom. "Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe...." The Kingdom, "of our Lord and of His Christ," is unshakable. Our "kingdoms" of mental processes are not. I wonder if, "gratitude...reverence and awe," are some characteristics we should spend a little more time working on.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I do want to live more a life of, "gratitude...reverence and awe." Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
