GlobalChristians

Eternity 52 - The Treasures of Wisdom And Knowledge

Colossians 2:1-3 LITV For I want you to know how great a struggle I have concerning you, and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, (2) that their hearts may be comforted, being joined together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of the understanding, to the full knowledge of the mystery of God, even of the Father and of Christ, (3) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge.

Now when we think of where the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are located we might say "In the British Museum or the Library of Congress, in Einstein's brain or in an ancient Hindu temple" or some such answer indicating some earthly repository, some place of intellectual brilliance or historical tradition. How surprising to the modern man that wisdom is not stored there at all.

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are stored in a person, and that person is Jesus Christ. All the treasures of English literature, of physics, of geology, of botany, of medicine, of philosophy, theology and computer design - or any other source of knowledge are found in Christ.

This is because all things were created through Him and by Him and for Him and in Him all things hold together and Jesus Christ, yes that Person, is the One who upholds the universe by the word of His power ( John 1:1-3, Hebrews 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-20). Jesus is not just a religious figure or a prophet, He is God and He is intimately involved with every molecule in Creation.

To say that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ is a very serious statement. It means that any educational curriculum should start with communion with God through Christ. It means that through the Holy Spirit's illumination, Christians should have access to knowledge that other religions simply do not provide and should have a greater knowledge of the natural world and a more accurate understanding of life and reality than say Hindus or Satanists - and history indeed bears this out, with Christian, and particularly Protestant countries - being far advanced scientifically.

Christ is the cornerstone to all true learning. Now I am not saying that all learning should be based on memorizing Scripture or that the Bible is the only textbook anyone needs. That is a fallacious and limited viewpoint.

The Bible gives us a reference point, a framework, a right world-view, but the other textbooks put some content into that framework. Christians should be Spirit-filled, Christ-centered and widely read. The Christian mind should be the most loving and yet the most acute and astute, on the planet.

I came to the above belief in the early 80's and since then have often called on God for wisdom in very secular matters ranging from website design to managing people to how to fix something - and God has often opened my mind to understand that area! I find that by being open to God I learn far more quickly than before and that my mind is far clearer, less anxious, more logical and more settled.

What I am saying is that we need to see Jesus as a serious source of wisdom and knowledge in everyday life; as someone we can call on for wisdom and expect the wisdom to arrive. God is very interested in supplying us with wisdom from many different sources. It may be a voice or a dream but it also can be more ordinary such as after we pray for wisdom on a certain matter we go into a bookstore and there on sale is the very book we need! It may simply be that we find a greatly enhanced ability to learn a certain topic or to pick up a certain language.

What I am urging you to do is to see Jesus as the Expert and the Holy Spirit as the great Teacher and to take getting wisdom from God utterly seriously.

Not all Christians have to be intellectuals but all Christians should display a superior wisdom among their peers. A Christian fisherman should be a very smart, alert and hardworking fisherman who is wise in all he or she does..and so forth. Serious disciples of Jesus should have disciplined minds receptive to the wisdom God wishes to give them to carry out the work He has called each of us to do. (Ephesians 2:7-10, James 1:5-8).

Put aside the notion that religion is for twits. God is not interested in having twits for children. God wants wise sons and daughters who are discerning, intelligent and capable of carrying out His will with understanding.

There is nothing spiritual about being unable to do basic calculations or not knowing what is going on in the world.

When I first went to theological college (I won't say the denomination) other students told me that I could not be a Christian because I was a scientist. This kind of intellectual isolationism makes evangelical Christians seem like bizarre and bumptious hillbillies. No-one can take such Christians seriously and thus they lose their voice within the culture.

Folly is not attractive and has done much to damage the cause of Christ. This is a tragedy as Christ is the one in whom ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. Any wisdom Gandhi had - he found in Christ, any wisdom Marx had, he found in Christ (both were serious students of the New Testament) and any wisdom Einstein had he found in Christ - and His design written in Creation.

These were not believers - but God will instruct anyone. But God longs to teach His children most of all. Please pray and ask God to fill your mind with the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that are in Christ, for you.

Blessings,

John Edmiston (johned@aibi.ph)
Asian Internet Bible Institute
http://www.aibi.ph/