The Wisdom of God, 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

"Jews demands miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God."

     It seems we are all seeking wisdom and power in this life. But what type of wisdom do you seek? What kind of power are you longing for? Are you seeking the wisdom which is found in this life, the wisdom of men? Or do you seek the wisdom of God? It is said, "the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom" (1 Cor. 1:25). Are you longing for worldly power, to control men and material wealth? It is said also that "the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength". To seek anything but the wisdom that comes from above is foolishness, and such "wisdom" will pass away. To be the most powerful man on earth is still to be weak in God's eyes. It is not in witnessing miraculous signs and wonders that we see the power of God, nor is it by studying and devoting our lives to gaining much knowledge that we attain wisdom. But through Christ, who died for our sins and reconciled us unto God, we can be filled with the wisdom and power of God by His Holy Spirit.

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'widsom' does not come down from heaven, but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

     We can judge what kind of wisdom it is that we seek and what kind of power we want by comparing it to the wisdom of God, which is Christ Jesus. James tells us that the wisdom, that is Christ, which comes from heaven is pure, peace-loving, and considerate. Do you have mixed motives? Are you seeking to get ahead no matter who or what stands in your way? This is not godly behavior, nor godly wisdom. Jesus, though He is God and had every right to, never sought to push Himself on people or force them to love Him, nor did He ever have hidden mixed-motives for any of His deeds, but rather did everything out of pure, unadulterated love.