Today’s reading: Proverbs 1-2; 1 Corinthians 12
4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:4-5
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3
Wisdom and understanding which leads to the true knowledge of God and a proper fear of the Lord are keys to a life of blessing. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us this understanding and the ability to love and praise the Lord Jesus Christ.
The book of Proverbs is given to instruct God’s people in wise living, but it is not a self-help book. This book continually tells us to fear God as the key to wisdom and understanding (1:7). So fearing God leads to understanding, but understanding leads us back to the fear of God. Yes, this is circular reasoning, but it proves itself true in life. It is said that all reasoning is ultimately circular because one must presuppose one or more assumptions that cannot be proven. We assume that there is a God, the Eternal One who created all things and that He has revealed Himself in Scripture and in creation.
But Proverbs, unlike many self-help books, does not assume that we are alone in the universe, answerable to no one but ourselves, and without any God to guide or assist us. Proverbs reminds us that God controls all things and that He is just. His holiness is reflected here in a clear distinction between good and evil and right and wrong which shows the application of the moral law or Ten Commandments (Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5) to everyday life and relationships.
Paul urges the Corinthians to get informed and to gain understanding that will help them in their lives and relationships which are evidently quite fractured. He teaches them how to view themselves as a body with many members. Thus, they need to accept their own diverse gifts and to accept one another. They are members of the body of Christ called to glorify Him (1 Corinthians 6:15-20). He has also taught them that their body is the temple of the Holy Spirit given to them by God. By the Spirit, they cannot but confess, “Jesus is Lord!” To curse Christ is clear evidence of not having that Spirit. On the contrary, all who have the Spirit of God will confess that Jesus is our wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Co. 1:30).
We are not left to attempt to raise ourselves by our own bootstraps. Seek Him and His wisdom, the One in Whom are found all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:1-3).
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