January 21

“…among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:6ff)

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul prays for the church to worship with the “Spirit of wisdom and of revelation” of Christ (Eph. 1:17). The Holy Spirit works in us individually, and in our congregations corporately, to “teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all” that Jesus spoke to the disciples (John 14:26). There is only one true Spirit of wisdom, and He is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity. By Him “the eyes of our hearts” are enlightened (Eph. 1:18).  We are supplied with a greater understanding and appreciation of the doctrines included in our eternal salvation. Some of these basic, vital doctrines are: repentance, regeneration, imputation, propitiation, justification, and adoption.

If I don’t understand repentance, I cannot be wise about regeneration, since they are intimately interconnected. If I do not believe that Christ has satisfied God’s wrath for sin by His sacrificial, atoning work on the cross, I cannot appreciate the legal justification I have in God’s sight in Christ, or my adoption into God’s family. If God’s wrath is not satisfied by Christ’s work, why would He declare me “Not guilty?” If Christ’s work is incomplete in this regard, what good would it do for Him to give me His righteousness and take upon Himself my sin, through imputation? But God works all this “secret and hidden wisdom,” in believers, resulting in our eternal life, His glory, and the growth of the kingdom, the Body of Christ.

I might get dressed in the morning, hop in my car, and arrive at church, convinced that I am ready to worship. I may sing the hymns, pray the prayers, listen to the sermon, participate in communion, give financially, and even serve the congregation without actively thinking about who I am in Christ, or about the amazing wisdom Christ has revealed to us as a body. I propose to you that merely speaking words of a creed is not the same as considering their import, and singing is not the same as adoring Jesus.

How will your worship this Lord’s day reflect your appreciation for Christ, the secret, divine wisdom of God? If you have the mind of Christ, is it enough that your mind doesn’t wander?  “Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 8:33-35)

For further consideration: The 2012 Ligonier Conference talks on “The Christian Mind:” https://www.ligonier.org/learn/conferences/the-christian-mind-2012-national-conference/