Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
A Treasure Worth More Than Gold
A treasure map is valuable because of where it leads. Much like wisdom in the Bible, the wisdom of God leads us to life's greatest treasures, and ultimately, God's wisdom is far greater and more valuable than even gold. Our Verse of the Day speaks to this tremendous wisdom, this great wisdom that we have in the Bible.
It's 1 Corinthians chapter 2, verse 9. "That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.'"
The True Treasure: Jesus Christ
Paul is reminding the Corinthians of his ministry. He doesn't rely on his own eloquence, his gift of gab, or human wisdom. His central message is Jesus Christ, and Him crucified—verses 1 and 2. Jesus Christ is the treasure Paul is pointing to.
In verses 3 to 5, he basically says, I didn't come with a big ego. I came in weakness. I came in fear. I came in humility. Why? Because he trusted God's power above his own innate, apparent gifting. In 1 Corinthians chapter 2, verse 9, Paul shows that human wisdom falls short. This is what the Scriptures mean when they say no eye has seen, no ear has heard—God's wisdom comes to you and me only when God gives it to us. This is not naturally attainable. Romans chapter 3 says there's no one who seeks God.
The Epitome of Human Wisdom
The main point again of verses 1 to 5 is this that we don't rest our faith on human wisdom—we rest it on God's power. Think about the blind rulers of that time. How do we know they didn't have the wisdom of God? Paul says in chapter 2, verse 8, right before the Verse of the Day, that the rulers of this age crucified the Lord of glory. That's the epitome of human wisdom.
Who are the ones who cannot receive or know the wisdom of God? Those who perceive and pursue worldly wisdom, worldly wealth, worldly attainments, power, and status rather than the Lord Jesus Christ. Human wisdom falls woefully short.
God's Spirit Reveals Truth
Who are the ones who can know real wisdom? Who are the ones who know God's wisdom? Those people, the Bible says, are the ones who are spiritual—those who have received the Spirit of God. Right there in verse 6, a few verses before the Verse of the Day, it says we do speak a wisdom among the mature, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. We know that the Spirit of God has the things of God, and He reveals them to us. In fact, the Spirit of God authored the Scripture—2 Peter chapter 1, verse 21.
Applying This Wisdom
Let's try to apply this and bring it home.
First, pursue spiritual maturity by relying on the Spirit of God. Romans chapter 6: "But you, by the Spirit, put to death the deeds of the body, so that you may live." Paul said it in Ephesians chapter 1, "I pray in the Spirit." He prayed for spiritual wisdom and understanding. It says all over the Bible, in this same context, that those who have received the truth of the Scriptures are those who are filled with the Spirit of God. In John chapter 16, verse 13, Jesus said "He"—speaking of the Spirit—"will guide you into all truth."
Second, rejoice in God's eternal wisdom. That comes by the work of the Spirit of God. If you know Christ today—if I know Him—and if you're learning what the Scriptures truly mean, the Spirit of God is giving you the understanding to attain this.
Third and finally, anchor your life in God's eternal purpose. You and I need to base our lives on something immovable, something unchangeable—Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You and I have the Word of God, which is forever.
May we not have human wisdom, but true wisdom—the true road map which yields the ultimate treasure: the Lord Jesus Christ, now and in the future, when we're with Him in heaven forever.
