1 Corinthians 1:18-20 English Standard Version

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Intellect is defined as the faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively, especially with regard to abstract or academic matters.

If we for motive within intellect we will find hints of pride and self-determination. This life in Christ is just the opposite, humility and submission.

Isaiah 1:18 English Standard Version (ESV) “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

We love to quote this line of scripture because it is one of the precious promises of God. When we view it with our intellect, we see the words “your sins are” which says the nature of sin has not changed, nor has sin been removed from us. The vision of “shall be” is beyond our ability to see in our natural state because sin is still in our lives. A common mistake in reasoning keeps what we like to hear and ignores the rest.

Isaiah 1:19 English Standard Version (ESV) If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

Humility and submission yield blessings.

Isaiah 1:20 English Standard Version (ESV) but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

At this point there will be some who instantly think “but the Word of the Lord says….”

That is intellect replacing faith. Intellect objects, faith accepts without justifying God.

Exodus 33:12-14 English Standard Version

Moses’ Intercession

12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus was written by Moses. In this chapter he reveals an intimate conversation with God that says something about Moses. God answers Moses but what is at the core of Moses’ question??

It sounds like Moses trusts God because He has done what God commanded. Now Moses has all these people that are with him and Moses wants to know who he can trust.

I hear in Moses’ voice what I hear in myself. “I trust you Lord, I just don’t trust them.”

Why is it that knowing God knows me by name and that I have found His grace, that it is not enough to find trust in others? Moses shows signs of trust issues and I can see that because I suffer the same malady.

I am not the only person that questions those around me in a way that causes us to withhold  trust. I trouble myself with things that should not be any of my concern if I truly believe God is the Father of all mankind.

Moses begs to know God’s ways in order to receive more grace, as if what he already received wasn’t enough to give Moses rest from what troubles him.

John 1:16 English Standard Version (ESV) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

From His fullness we have received grace and will receive more grace and yet I feel that I am not full of grace myself. Perhaps that is because I have not completely died to self.

It now becomes about me, not Moses or God, just one more selfie, a picture of me in the moment. Have I changed? Sure, but not as much as I would like. I have not found that rest I want.