North Pacific Union Gleaner
April 21, 1909
Our Wisdom or God's?
The truth of God is infinite, capable of measureless expansion, and the more we contemplate it, the more will its glory appear. The truth has been opened before us, and yet the words of Paul to the Galatians are applicable to us. He says: “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? are ye so foolish, having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.” NPUGleaner April 21, 1909, par. 1
Education alone will not fit a man for a place in the work, will not enable him to obtain a knowledge of God. Hear what Paul has to say on this matter: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” NPUGleaner April 21, 1909, par. 2
Through successive ages of darkness, God has permitted men to make the experiment of finding out God by their own wisdom,—not to demonstrate their inability to his satisfaction, but that men themselves might see that they could not obtain a knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ save through the revelation of his Word and the Holy Spirit. When Christ came to the world, the experiment had been fully made, and the result made it evident that the world by wisdom knew not God. NPUGleaner April 21, 1909, par. 3
Even in the church God has allowed men to test their own wisdom in this matter, but when a crisis has been brought about by human fallibility, God has risen mightily to defend his people. When the church has been brought low, when trial and oppression have come upon his people, he has more abundantly exalted them by a signal deliverance. When unfaithful teachers came among the people, weakness followed, and the faith of God's people seemed to wane; but God arose and purged his floor, and the tried and true were lifted up. NPUGleaner April 21, 1909, par. 4
When piety is left out of the heart, the people of God separate from the source of their strength, and pride, vanity, extravagance, and display follow. There are idols within and idols without; but God sends the Holy Spirit as the reprover of sin, that his people may be warned of their apostasy, and rebuked for their backsliding. When men are led to realize that their human wisdom is but foolishness, then it is that they turn to the Lord to seek him with all the heart, that they may find him. When the precious manifestations of his love are gratefully acknowledged and appreciated, the Lord pours in the balm of comfort and the oil of joy. NPUGleaner April 21, 1909, par. 5
Science and literature can not bring to the darkened minds of men the light which the glorious gospel of the Son of God can bring. No wonder Paul exclaims, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” The gospel of Christ becomes personality to those who believe, making them “living epistles, known and read of all men.” In this way the leaven of godliness passes to the multitudes. And heavenly intelligences are able to discern the true elements of greatness in the character. NPUGleaner April 21, 1909, par. 6
The wisdom of men may or may not be valuable, as experience shall prove, but the wisdom of God is indispensable; and yet many who profess to be wise are willingly ignorant of the things that pertain to eternal life. Miss what we may in the line of human attainments, we must have faith in the pardon brought to us at infinite cost, or all of wisdom attained to on earth will perish with us. NPUGleaner April 21, 1909, par. 7
Were the Sun of Righteousness to withdraw his bright beams from the world, we would be left in the darkness of eternal night. Christ “spake as never man spake.” He poured out to men the treasure of heaven in wisdom and knowledge. He is the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. Every phase of truth was evident to him. He did not come to utter uncertain sentiments and opinions; but only to speak truth established upon eternal principles. Then why take the unstable words of men as exalted wisdom, when a greater and certain wisdom is at your command? NPUGleaner April 21, 1909, par. 8
The converted soul lives in Christ. His darkness passes away, and a new and heavenly light shines into his soul. “He that winneth souls is wise.” “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” The work that is done through the co-operation of men with God is a work that will never perish, but will endure through the eternal ages. He who makes God his wisdom, who grows up to the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus, will stand before the world to show forth the praises of him who hath called him out of darkness into his marvelous light. NPUGleaner April 21, 1909, par. 9
“Without me,” Christ said, “ye can do nothing.” Our faith, our example, must be held more sacredly than we have held them in the past. The Word of God must be studied as never before; for it is the precious offering that we must present to men, in order that they may learn the way of peace, and obtain that life which measures with the life of God. Human wisdom, so highly exalted among men, sinks into insignificance before that wisdom that points out the way cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. The Bible, received and studied as the voice of God, tells the human family how to reach the abodes of eternal happiness, and secure the treasures of heaven. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” NPUGleaner April 21, 1909, par. 10