Almost everyone desires wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge is of little value (perhaps even anti-value) without wisdom so wisdom is the greater of the two but both are quite valuable.
The scriptures say that “all” of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. How do we get them? No dis on school but they can’t be gotten just from school. No dis on books and study but they cannot be gotten just from books and study. The foundational essentials in getting wisdom and knowledge are to have an encouraged heart and be united with others in love.
An encouraged heart comes from turning our focus away from the world and onto God. Being united in love requires relationship with others and not just some others that we like a whole lot. Unity in love is only words until it is tested by conflict and the opportunity for offense. Only those who have these two things are able to plumb the depths necessary to grasp all of the treasures of knowledge and wisdom to be found in Christ.
The Spin
It didn’t take long for me to learn that anything, anything, and anything can be spun to make it sound right. You don’t even have to lie to perform such a spin. All you have to do is come from a different perspective.
The world has a perspective that is literally forced on all of us from birth. It easily leads to “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world.” According to this perspective the cross was a disaster. A great teacher and innocent man was denied justice and cruelly cut down at the beginning of His promising prime. In other words, if there is a God and if Jesus was His Son then unfortunately he failed. How sad.
The Christian perspective is that the cross (followed by the resurrection) was a total victory by which we are saved. “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
Which is right? It totally depends on where your perspective is coming from. If you believe the first take you are no Christian. If you believe the second take you are a Christian. If you think the truth lies somewhere in between you are simply confused.
The Big Spin
Ah, but there is one other perspective - religion.
Isn’t the Christian perspective religion? Technically, yes, but in reality it is more of a relationship than a religion. We gather to worship, not because there is a prescribed way to worship and appease our god, but because we love our God and grow deeper in Him through worship with others who love Him as well. We tithe not because it is required and will keep Him from being angry with us, but because it is a reflection of His generosity toward us and a means of breaking free from slavery to the world’s grip on our lives.
Religion has a powerful tendency to interpose itself between us and this relationship with God. It tends to create requirements that God did not establish and that, if adhered to, deceive us into thinking that we are somehow better or more pleasing to God than those who do not follow our particular path. Beware! This is essentially the basic principles of this world dressed up in religious garb with religious makeup applied. Not only do they not draw one closer to God they also don’t have any power to shield us from the snares of the world.
And Finally
Verses 20-23 are virtually inscrutable in the King James Bible which I was brought up with; otherwise, we might have taught a few things differently. When I finally read them in a version I could understand they changed my life.
- Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (KJV)
- Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their selfimposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. (NIV)
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