“To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”
Romans 16:27
True wisdom begins when we realize He alone is our Source and Sufficiency.
Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is a powerful treatise of “sola fide” (Faith alone), “sola grasya” (Grace alone) and “justification by faith.” Yet, it’s interesting he chose to end his letter with the simple words contained in today’s Manna: “To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”
Those first four words are indeed powerful ones: “To God ONLY wise.”
The Bible is full of verses that deal with wisdom. Solomon’s book of Proverbs is a part of Old Testament “wisdom literature” and basically personifies the Lord God in his use of the word “wisdom.” And, when we read James’ description of wisdom in James 3:13-18, we realize true wisdom “is from Above” (v.17a) and produces all those Godly attributes in us that are impossible to experience in the flesh (vv.17b-18).
Thus, true humility comes to those who always remember “God alone is wise.”
We are not; we never can be in our own strength. No amount of Biblical knowledge or ministry experience can produce it. Only by daily “abiding in Christ” (Jn. 15:1-7) can we come to “know Him and the power of His Resurrection” (Phil. 3:10), which in turn helps us know even more our desperate need of Him.
That’s why Paul also wrote “I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST Who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). He knew all too well his own wretchedness (Rom. 7:7-23), but it was in his “dying to self” that He realized the key to victory: “And the life I now live in the flesh I live BY THE FAITH of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20b).
Do you see it, Pilgrim?
It’s not our faith. It’s not our praying harder or believing stronger.
It’s our realizing we never can crucify ourselves; it’s only by our being “crucified WITH CHRIST” (Gal. 2:20a) that our “old man” (the flesh) becomes weaker and He becomes stronger (Jn. 3:30). Only then.
Thus, in that condition we realize “God only is wise” and He alone is worthy of our “glory through Jesus Christ forever.” Him and Him alone. No one else. Nothing else. Just Him and Him alone. And, that’s why we can conclude all of our remarks and efforts with a hearty “Amen! So be it! Let it be, Lord; let it be!!”
No longer do I have to try and be wise. No longer do I have to try and be more than what I am (although that will always be our lifelong quest—Phil. 3:3-14). Instead, we sing “Jesus is all the world to me” and “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.” Hallelujah!!
Try to live each minute of today continually remembering “It’s Christ IN ME that is my hope of Glory” (Col. 1:27). That way you’ll live more under Grace than guilt and in the constant assurance that you’ll be just like Him when you finally see Him (I Jn. 3:2). Glory!!
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated August 24, 2010
