March 20: TRUE WISDOM AND GROWING FAITH

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10

The Omniscient One graciously imparts understanding for those who love Him (v.9) of future, eternal blessings. This passage makes a strong case (only one of many) for the personhood of the Holy Spirit. Although much about God is a mystery, He has told us more than enough about Himself in His word for each of us to see that He can be trusted infinitely. His Word is a supernatural Book. His plan for our salvation reveals that God is relational and desires a relationship with His people. Although the word “trinity” is not found in Scripture, a thorough study of His Book reveals three co-eternal Persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – who are united in love and work in perfect oneness to carry out the plan of salvation.

If the enemy of souls can undermine our trust of the LORD on any point or in any area, he damages our reasoning capacity. But God simply invites us to return to His word. By using reasoning, a gift from the Creator, we may reasonably conclude that His word can be trusted, which translates directly into action: “Come now and let us reason together…” (Isaiah 1:18).

Paul admits that his work of starting a church in Corinth was daunting. This was the most important hub of worldwide commerce in Greece at the time. The culture was thoroughly degraded, and every conceivable idolatrous religion was practiced there. When Paul pointed out that “my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5), he was simply acknowledging that people are quite capable of arguing against every precept of God. Many know just how to make their arguments persuasive enough to create firm unbelief.  

The fact that God reveals only select points (Deuteronomy 29:29) means that He purposefully leaves room for faith. It is only natural that we humans have the capacity for doubt: a catalyst for the pursuit of understanding. Doubt must not be confused with unbelief, which is the stubborn refusal to trust or obey what God has revealed. Doubt is not sin, but be aware that the enemy of souls seizes upon doubt to cause anxiety, delay the decision to obey, and weaken faith. True faith exceeds “intellectual certainty.” It is steadfast loyalty to Him who is entirely worthy of our trust. By grace, His Spirit will bring to remembrance what we need, just when we need it!

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26

Go deeper: Matthew 11:25; 16:17; John 14:14-19; 15:26; Acts 5:32; Hebrews 11:1,6; Jude 20-21