Standing on the Biblical Worldview Rock with Peter H. Johnston
Part 1: Two Types of Wisdom – You Must Be Born Again
God’s Word tells us that there are two types of wisdom: human wisdom and God’s wisdom. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church:
These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2: 13-14)1.
To understand this distinction it is helpful to go back to an encounter that Jesus had with a genuinely interested rabbinical leader, Nicodemus.2 Nicodemus came to Jesus in the night and addressed Jesus respectfully, acknowledging that the signs Jesus did could not be done “unless God is with him.”
Jesus responded, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
In order to see God’s kingdom, Jesus tells Nicodemus a supernatural event must first take place. Nicodemus, not being born again at that point and not understanding the two types of wisdom, further genuinely asks, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus replied, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Jesus knew that one who was born of the flesh in an earthly birth to human parents, would be able to understand human wisdom. But he explained that such individuals could be born additionally of the Spirit. Being born of that Spirit would enable individuals to receive spiritual wisdom.
Jesus continued, “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
With acceptance of Jesus Messiah as Lord by grace3 one received a new birth including God’s Spirit. It is that Spirit that enables us to receive God’s wisdom and develop a Biblical worldview, rather than simply living by man’s wisdom. God’s Spirit inspired men of God to write down God’s Word to instruct believers in His ways. Paul wrote to Timothy, a younger leader, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16).
God spoke to Peter two essential truths relative to receiving the Word of God, its supernatural source beyond human wisdom and its importance to all of life. By divine revelation Peter wrote: “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-210).
Earlier in that same chapter Peter wrote, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:2-3).
Thus, the first step in developing a Biblical worldview is to get born again.
In my next post I will address further issues regarding a proper attitude in approaching God’s Word to increase in the Biblical worldview that enables you to daily stand firmly on the Rock
that is Christ Jesus.
© Peter H. Johnston, 2016
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1 All scripture in this article is taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.
2 These references can be found in John 3:1-8. Jesus further instructs Nicodemus in verses 9-21 including John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life.”
3 Ephesians 2:8-9 explain “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Salvation by grace and not by works distinguishes Christianity from all religions which uniformly provide for some form of “salvation” or “nirvana” or “entrance to heaven” based on works.