READING: 1 Cor. 2:6-16
… which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself … – Eph. 1:8,9
The richness of God’s grace is truly abundant, Paul says with joyful wonder. This abundance pertains to all wisdom and prudence. We may live with God’s Spirit! Christ’s Spirit who dwells in us, renews our hearts, and enlightens our understanding, so that we can comprehend, accept, and apply God’s Word. Additionally, God reveals hidden matters to us.
It is an immense privilege to gain insight into these while others lack it. From God’s Word, we learn about God’s hidden counsel, His election in Christ, and His plan for the world; we even know what must soon take place and what everything leads to. We understand the purpose and meaning of life on earth, why God created and sustains everything.
We also know why He gave us His beloved Son, what His work in heaven is, and where His reign is leading. We understand the tasks assigned to the church.
All these things are revealed to us in Christ. For this, we receive the unimaginably wonderful grace of the indwelling and working of God the Holy Spirit. With Him, we receive abundant wisdom and abundant insight as heavenly gifts.
What does “prudence” mean here? It is the discernment that allows us to practically take into account the knowledge of God, His will, and actions (Phil. 1:9-11). Through the Spirit, we can discern what is essential, based on what God presents to us in His Word.
Thus, we can align our lives with His Word in love and obedience to Him, and to the praise and worship of His Name.
Is knowledge of God’s counsel important?
Singing: Ps. 33:6