The fullness of wisdom

Those who sell products through a business in their home are positive that that Amway, Avon, certain vitamins, or whatever they are selling is the best there is, otherwise they would not be selling it. They have used the product and are convinced of its value and quality, or at least that they can make a living convincing others.

Those called by God to follow Jesus Christ are also convinced that Christ is the best there is, not because of personal benefits in the relationship (even though that is a factor), but because God has revealed something to them that others do not see. This man is not a mere man, but is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Hebrews 1:3)

To the world, Jesus Christ appears as a teacher or a prophet, even a myth. Some think He was a mad man, or a liar, but the people who are in a personal relationship with Him by faith know better.

But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (is) the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24)

Horatius Bonar says that the expression, “the wisdom of God,” does not mean that Christ is wise but something more comprehensive. Yes, He is infinitely wise, but to say He is the wisdom of God goes beyond that. The Father is infinitely wise, but we cannot say He is the wisdom of God. This description belongs only to the Son because all that is in God and that can come forth from God is contained in Christ.

Jesus is the full representative of the invisible and incomprehensible Almighty God. He is the brightness of Jehovah’s glory and the express image of His person. In all He does, God displays portions of His wisdom, but in Christ He puts forth all of it. That is, the wisdom of God is totally expressed in His Son.

Why is that said in the Bible? It seems to me that God’s wisdom is seen in how spiders spin a web or in the way stars move in the heavens. I see His wisdom displayed in the way He uses all things, even bad things, for good in the lives of His people, or how He humbles hard hearts and brings even the worst of sinners to the cross.

But the Bible says clearly that Christ is the wisdom of God. All that God is can be seen in this One who consented to become a man, a servant of God to do His Father’s will.

Christ Jesus who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6–8)

This is God’s wisdom. He became a man and died for sinners. If I want to be wise, I must know this One who did this for me, but also, as Philippians 2:5 says, have His mind in me and be willing to let God, in His wisdom, direct me in an obedient life of serving others.