THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE - PART 3
Romans 11:33 says, "O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" In other words, "who can measure the wealth and wisdom and knowledge of God? Who can understand his decisions or explain what he does?" The wisdom and knowledge of God are inexhaustible; they are infinite resources in Christ. That means, the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God are hidden treasures in Christ.
Reference: Philippians 2:3 New Living Translation (NLT) "In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Beloved, there is depth in the divine wisdom and knowledge; the riches, resources and abundance thereof are precious and incalculable. They are vastly more than we can imagine. However the treasures of divine wisdom is not the same as the knowledge but accessing the wisdom helps in the right application of divine knowledge. Divine wisdom involves discerning the best possible outcome in a given circumstance and determining the best possible means to achieve that outcome. That's what God did through Christ in creation, bearing in mind that the wisdom that created the universe is Christ.
The treasures of knowledge lie hidden in Christ. 2 Peter 1:3 says, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue." By this knowledge, we can have access to all things that pertain unto life and godliness. Therefore, it is important that we go for knowledge of the truth of God's Word, in order to build our day-to-day faith.
So many Christians go through life having just the general knowledge of God and planning a little about gaining His deeper, precise knowledge and yet hope to walk in absolute mastery and dominion in this world, but that's not the perfect will of God for us. The Bible says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). The only way this can happen is when we know Him, because we can't acknowledge Him in all our ways if we don't really know Him. Remember, we are talking about hidden treasures of knowledge in Christ. It's not something we carelessly come by or stumble into. We must be curious about knowing Him since they are treasures that lie hidden.
The treasures of knowledge are purely the cognitive or intellectual side of wisdom. The Greek word is Gnosis. Proverbs 2:6 (ESV) says, "For the Lord gives wisdom (sophia); from his mouth come knowledge (gnosis) and understanding (nous)." Notice the phrase "from his mouth come knowledge", which means this knowledge is the Word of God. Therefore, knowledge here means spiritual knowledge or specific and accurate divine knowledge. This knowledge is gained through understanding given by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. So Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17 (NLT), asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give us spiritual wisdom and insight (wisdom and revelation) so that we might grow in the knowledge of God and come to maturity.
Paul continued in Ephesians 1:18 (KJV) saying, "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints". In other words, this enlightenment helps us to gain understanding of God's plan and purpose and what He has already done and provided in Christ. No wonder 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV) reads, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." The Word of God's grace helps us to grow in this knowledge and become built up to access inheritance with all the saints.
Acts 20:32 (NLT) reads, "And now I entrust you to God and the message of His grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself." The knowledge of this message builds us up or matures us. And we cannot bypass the words "build up" if we are to take full possession of the inheritance of the saints in light. So what is the solution to gaining this knowledge? 1 Peter 2:2 (NLT) reads, "Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment." Beloved, this knowledge is gained from the Word of truth, and if we nourish our souls with the sincere milk of the Word, we grow thereby. Shalom!
Scripture Reading - Psalm 19:7; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 1:12.
Guided Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the inexhaustible wealth and treasures of wisdom and knowledge that lie hidden in Christ Jesus, who lives in me. The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to the saints and gratefully, you reveal them by the Holy Spirit. As the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of your mysteries, I'm well positioned to receive them in my spirit, thereby enabling me to experience increased glory in my life from time to time. On the basis of your accurate knowledge and understanding, my life is improved upon and transformed to fully enjoy my inheritance among the saints in Jesus' Name, Amen!
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