However, when we are among mature people, we do speak a message of wisdom, but not the wisdom of this world or of the rulers of this world, who are passing off the scene. Instead, we speak about God’s secret wisdom that has been hidden, which God destined for our glory before the world began. None of the rulers of this world understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.
1 Corinthians 2:6-8
What does ‘secret wisdom” mean? Who is privy to this secret wisdom? There are many groups who like the idea of knowing secret things that others don’t know. It is the basis of many cults and secret societies. Possessing inside knowledge somehow appeals to many people. Does God deal in secret knowledge? Are we to become the initiated so we can enter into the things of God? Does God cover His tracks and expects us to pursue the clues He leaves? No, when the Bible talks of the God’s secret wisdom it is not the same as Gnostic thought where knowledge was power and only for the initiated.
God purpose is for all to come to a knowledge of the truth. It is only hidden or secret because of the individuals lack of ability to perceive it or readiness or willingness to comprehend or understand it. God is the one who brings people to Christ. Jesus spoke to people in parables in order to reveal the truth to those who are called by God (YHWH). Those that are not are not going to believe anyway. Jesus puts it this way: He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: `You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'”
The secret is not really a secret. The word behind the text in question is [μυστηρίον] or mystery. There are many mysteries in God and in His word. The Trinity, Christ – fully man and fully God, the virgin birth, work and person of the Holy Spirit and many, many more. But isn’t that good? Don’t you want a God who is far above your ability to be able to perceive and comprehend Him. I sure do. I don’t want a God whom I have figured and sussed and neatly package away in a box, fully explained and predictable. I want God to be unpredictable and around Whom I need to wear a seat belt.
The mystery as Paul is using it here is the way of God’s working; the way of God is the cross, the way up is the way down, the way to win your life is to lose your life for Him. When they were looking for an all-conquering-messiah they got a suffering servant. This is God’s mystery. It is also a mystery in that there is progressive revelation in Scripture. The way of God’s plan unfolds little by little. For that reason the prophets did not fully know about which they were writing. Even the angels were looking on at times and wondering what God was doing now. “Oh my goodness, can you believe what He is doing now. He has made these man creatures and has given them life AND FREE WILL. Does He know what he is doing?”
Little wonder the rulers of this world don’t comprehend it. More on them tomorrow.
The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears!
Ian Vail
There is more to life than increasing its speed.
Gandhi
One day your life will flash before your eyes like a movie. Make sure it’s a movie worth watching.
Sidney Mohede