Wisdom cries out but she is ignored. She asks a straightforward question, “How
long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight
in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?" We live in a time when there is a
philosophical idea (sophistry) that believes that wisdom isn't possible, that
truth is relative and that know-nothingism is a valid ideology. We delight in the simple and run from the
complex. We have put our trust in too
many things and found that power corrupts, just as Lord Acton said it did. We have believed what we were taught and we
have been disillusioned when it turns out that what was dogmatically proclaimed
is now in doubt. The problem is that our
worldviews have been based on those things that Solomon referred to as things
under the sun. If we are to navigate
this life, we need a more durable wisdom and worldview, we need one based on
things eternal and unchanging. We need
to choose that path that begins with the fear of the Lord, the pathway of
faith.
James and John have ambition but not knowledge. Jesus tells them, "You don't know what
you're asking" but they believe they do know what they are asking. That, too often, is our problem, we are
certain we know something when we don't know it at all. That is the second great problem of our age,
we also believe that we know what we don't know. We have great certainty because we have been
encouraged to believe that we know more than we do, everyone gets a prize at
the end no matter what. What we lack in
wisdom and knowledge we more than make up for in self-esteem. James and John believe they know what Jesus
asks when he speaks of drinking the same cup but they can't imagine what He is
talking about. They only want to have
chief seats at His side. What they need
is to see the separation between them and Jesus, to understand that His
thoughts are not theirs, nor His ways either.
We need to understand that same thing, we need the right perspective and
wisdom on Jesus.
Knowing the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowing and
of wisdom. Is there anything less common
sense, less obvious to know than, "we have concluded this: that one has
died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live
might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was
raised." This conclusion cannot be
reached in any academic way, it is revealed truth. That anyone who is in Christ is a new
creation is not at all discovered without faith. To be in Christ is nonsensical to the
rational man. The ministry of
reconciliation we have been given was made possible by the cross and our work
is to proclaim and pray, pray that the Holy Spirit is present in the
listeners. We should always pray for the
fear of the Lord to fall upon us and those to whom we proclaim.
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