Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
St. John’s MTC, UK
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where
is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
In 1:20, four rhetorical
questions are asked where the philosopher, religious scholar and debater are
talked about. They’re considered to be specialists in their fields, however
even they wouldn’t be able to create or comprehend the plan of salvation that God
has made for us. In our ‘wisdom’ we would have made it much more perplexing and
intricate. However, God bestowed a salvation, that is available to
everyone, by sending His Son to die for our sins. Moreover, God designed the
plan of salvation in a way that the sinful man could not come to recognize Him
by human wisdom. Therefore, God planned to save lost sinners through a way that
was perceived as nonsense to a ‘wise’ world- the cross. In this, we see the
wisdom of God fully exposed. Consequently, in the infinite wisdom of God He has
devised a plan without making a concession to His holiness or leaving His
righteousness discontented. God’s wrath has been unleashed on man’s sin
meanwhile His righteous demands have been met.
On
the other hand, God does want us to be curious, to examine and to gather
knowledge. We need to understand that our knowledge is limited. But God knows
everything that can be known and could be known and He cuts the wise and
powerful down to size. God wants us to be smart in preaching His word and
helping those who are less fortunate. An example is George Washington Carver,
who had a laboratory he titled ‘God’s little workshop’. One day, Carver prayed,
“Dear Mr. Creator, please tell me what the universe what made for.” God
responded, “Ask for something more in keeping with that little mind of yours.”
So Carver tried again. “Dear Mr. Creator, what was man made for?” Again the
Lord replied, “You ask too much, cut down the extent of your request and
improve your intent.” So once more, “Then Mr. Creator, what was the peanut made
for?” That day Carver discovered over 300 uses for the peanut. We are
diminutive and imprudent but God is wise and immense, therefore we should not
ponder over questions such as ‘what is the life?’ but ‘What can we do for You,
Lord?’ as God is pleased with those who believe in His word.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we can’t comprehend Your mightiness but
help us to follow Your plan of salvation to be better people of this world.
Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an
empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the
elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8