The spirit of wisdom and revelation

Name of Fellowship: Mona Baptist Church
Location: 4-6 University Meadows, Kingston 6
Date: June 14, 2009

I attended the Sunday school, where the theme of the Lesson study was: "Power for Living", Lesson 7 in the quarterly Caribbean Bible Lessons: Walking Together Vol 4 No. 3 (2009):25-27. This lesson was written by Mrs. Zoe Simpson from Jamaica, a member of the Missionary Church in Jamaica.

The lesson study focused on a discussion of G-d's power and the power available to Christians.

However, as we read Ephesians 1:17, I was able to share and learn from G-d through our interactions about wisdom and revelation.

Wisdom - is the rightful application of knowledge. It is determining the right information or action that is needed or appropriate for the situation, problem or the time. You can have knowledge, but it can be wrongly applied. You can apply the wrong knowledge to a situation. Thus wisdom goes beyond knowledge and the recall of information, to the ability to act or speak correctly when the situation presents itself.

Revelation - on the other hand is the the gaining of knowledge without formal teaching. Or the gaining/acquisition of information and knowledge that you would not otherwise know. Thus, this type of information or knowledge acquisition is supernatural. For example, you misplaced something, and have no clue where you put it. Then all of a sudden, a thought comes to your head that tells you the exact location of the loss item. When you check that location, you find the loss item.

In the text Ephesians 1:17, the apostle prays that the church receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they can know G-d. In this lies an important truth that theology ignores. Ironically, the very word "theology" claims to be the study of G-d or the knowledge of G-d. Yet, the apostle indicates that there are only two paths to knowing G-d. While one can study about G-d, and graduate from theological college, that by no means qualify them in knowing G-d.

Knowledge of G-d is not the end result of study, teaching and learning. Knowledge of G-d cannot be taught via a formal process or curriculum. Knowledge of G-d comes from the rightful application of what is studied as well as via G-d's supernatural intervention. As JESUS stated in John 6:44 (New International Version)
44:

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day."

The knowledge of G-d is hidden and only G-d chooses to whom he reveals it. In addition, G-d chooses whom he will teach.

Thus knowing G-d is hardly something of our own personal effort. It is important though that we study, so that we can have knowledge from which G-d can draw on to teach us and give us wisdom.

Christianity and Judaism should both be about the studying of word and doctrine, for future information retrieval and application. We should study G-d's word before we understand it. We must constantly and diligently study the scriptures to prepare us for G-d to give wisdom. He will use our previously studied information and knowledge from the Scriptures to teach us. We do not know when he will give us wisdom, but we must always be prepared.

For revelation on the other hand, we can do nothing to receive it, apart from live out what we already know, so that we appear faithful stewards of what G-d has given, so that he can entrust us with more than we already know.

For today and for the rest of your life, may you receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation that will increase your knowledge of G-d.