B-A-C
Loyal
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2008
- Messages
- 11,079
I work with many educated people. Some have PhD's, some have MBAs, some hold doctorate degrees. There is nothing wrong with these things. (I myself went to college). But I wonder sometimes, if the "educated" people in this world are the hardest to convert to Christianity.
There is a line in the movie "Avatar" - It is hard to fill a cup which is already full.
The Bible talks of a special divine knowledge, this appears to be hidden from the world.
Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.
Luk 10:21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
It appears that no mater how smart and "educated" we might be, some things can only be revealed by the Holy Spirit.
1Cor 2:10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
It's true, there are many things in The Bible that don't make sense to non-believers. In my personal opinion, there are many Christians who look too hard for everything to make sense. If it doesn't make sense to them, they simply choose not to believe that part of things.
1Cor 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1Cor 1:19 For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE."
1Cor 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
1Cor 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1Cor 1:22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;
1Cor 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
I am sometimes amazed at how God chose the original 12 disciples. None of them were pharisee, or scribes, or lawyers, or priests. None of them were especially wise or educated men. They were fishermen, a tax collector, a shepherd.
1Cor 1:24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1Cor 1:26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
1Cor 1:27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
1Cor 1:28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
yet God used these 11 men (discounting Judas) in incredibly mighty ways. You could say no 11 men changed the world more than these non-educated men.
1Cor 2:1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
1Cor 2:2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
1Cor 2:3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
1Cor 2:4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1Cor 2:5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1Cor 2:6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;
1Cor 2:7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;
1Cor 2:8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
1Cor 2:9 but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."
1Cor 2:10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
1Cor 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.
1Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
1Cor 2:13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
1Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
1Cor 2:15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.
1Cor 2:16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
We are told we must come as a child. (Matt 18:3) I believe we sometimes have to pour out all of our world pre-conceived notions. We sometimes have to accept things that "don't make sense". I have found that when we do this, God reveals the greater mysteries to us!!
1Cor 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
1Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS";
1Cor 3:20 and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS."
2Cor 1:12 For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.
If we are truly seeking God. He will give us wisdom. He will open our eyes.
Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Eph 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Jas 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Jas 1:6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
Jas 1:7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
Jas 1:8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Jas 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
Jas 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
Jas 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
Jas 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Mat 13:13 "Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Mat 13:14 "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, 'YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
Mat 13:15 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.'
Mat 13:16 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
Mat 13:17 "For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Act 28:26 saying, 'GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
Act 28:27 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'
There are many people who know the Bible, and have studied it. But they still try to explain it in worldly ways, with with worldly sophistication and knowledge.
1Tim 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1Tim 1:6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,
1Tim 1:7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
2Tim 3:7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
There are people, who see certain things right in front of their eyes, yet they still refuse to believe it.
Joh 12:37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him.
Joh 12:38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?"
Joh 12:39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,
Joh 12:40 "HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM."
Mat 13:11 Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
It would seem that God can "turn off" our ability to understand these spiritual things if we refuse to accept them.
I personally don't believe God wants to hide this divine wisdom from anyone. But I just believe we have to let go of "the things that make sense to us" sometimes.
1Tim 2:3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1Tim 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1Tim 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
2Tim 2:7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
There is a line in the movie "Avatar" - It is hard to fill a cup which is already full.
The Bible talks of a special divine knowledge, this appears to be hidden from the world.
Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.
Luk 10:21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
It appears that no mater how smart and "educated" we might be, some things can only be revealed by the Holy Spirit.
1Cor 2:10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
It's true, there are many things in The Bible that don't make sense to non-believers. In my personal opinion, there are many Christians who look too hard for everything to make sense. If it doesn't make sense to them, they simply choose not to believe that part of things.
1Cor 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1Cor 1:19 For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE."
1Cor 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
1Cor 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1Cor 1:22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;
1Cor 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
I am sometimes amazed at how God chose the original 12 disciples. None of them were pharisee, or scribes, or lawyers, or priests. None of them were especially wise or educated men. They were fishermen, a tax collector, a shepherd.
1Cor 1:24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1Cor 1:26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
1Cor 1:27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
1Cor 1:28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
yet God used these 11 men (discounting Judas) in incredibly mighty ways. You could say no 11 men changed the world more than these non-educated men.
1Cor 2:1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
1Cor 2:2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
1Cor 2:3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
1Cor 2:4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1Cor 2:5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1Cor 2:6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;
1Cor 2:7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;
1Cor 2:8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
1Cor 2:9 but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."
1Cor 2:10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
1Cor 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.
1Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
1Cor 2:13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
1Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
1Cor 2:15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.
1Cor 2:16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
We are told we must come as a child. (Matt 18:3) I believe we sometimes have to pour out all of our world pre-conceived notions. We sometimes have to accept things that "don't make sense". I have found that when we do this, God reveals the greater mysteries to us!!
1Cor 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
1Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS";
1Cor 3:20 and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS."
2Cor 1:12 For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.
If we are truly seeking God. He will give us wisdom. He will open our eyes.
Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Eph 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Jas 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Jas 1:6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
Jas 1:7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
Jas 1:8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Jas 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
Jas 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
Jas 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
Jas 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Mat 13:13 "Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Mat 13:14 "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, 'YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
Mat 13:15 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.'
Mat 13:16 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
Mat 13:17 "For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Act 28:26 saying, 'GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
Act 28:27 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'
There are many people who know the Bible, and have studied it. But they still try to explain it in worldly ways, with with worldly sophistication and knowledge.
1Tim 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1Tim 1:6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,
1Tim 1:7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
2Tim 3:7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
There are people, who see certain things right in front of their eyes, yet they still refuse to believe it.
Joh 12:37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him.
Joh 12:38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?"
Joh 12:39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,
Joh 12:40 "HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM."
Mat 13:11 Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
It would seem that God can "turn off" our ability to understand these spiritual things if we refuse to accept them.
I personally don't believe God wants to hide this divine wisdom from anyone. But I just believe we have to let go of "the things that make sense to us" sometimes.
1Tim 2:3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1Tim 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1Tim 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
2Tim 2:7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
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