In this same volume, Mr. Gurnall is also quoted as saying - "The philosophy called humanism has long been a suitor to man's pride. It boasts in his natural strength and wisdom, woos him with promises of great accomplishments now, and heaven later. God Himself has scattered such Babel-builders and proclaimed His preeminence for eternity. Confounded forever be such sons of pride, who trust in the power of nature as though man with his own brick and mortar of natural abilities were able to make a way to heaven! You who are yet in your natural state, would you become wise to salvation? Then first become fools in your own eyes. Renounce this carnal wisdom which cannot perceive spiritual things, and beg wisdom of God, who gives without rebuke."
"Renounce this carnal wisdom which cannot perceive spiritual things..."
This is a Word from the Holy Spirit to the Church of today.
Because many lack the Power and Anointing of the Holy Spirit, they are looking to the world for answers to their dilemmas. They are seeking to the Philosophies of Men for solutions to their problems.
In the midst of it all, God is screaming out - "Renounce this carnal wisdom..." Have nothing more to do with it.
Since when did God ever tell anyone who represents Him to go to the world for help? Do the Preachers and Teachers of today realize what a mockery it is to the name of Christ to do so?
Nowadays, the title "Pastor" has been replaced by that of "Counsellor." This is not to say that a Minister cannot counsel others using the Word of God, but the Bible only mentions one Counsellor and that is the Holy Spirit. If any counselling is to be done, He is the One to do it.
"Renounce this carnal wisdom..."
Why? For what reasons?
- Because God has "made foolish" all carnal reasoning. 1 Corinthians 1:20 says - "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?"
- Because no one can come to know God through this type of reasoning. 1 Corinthians 1:21 says - "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God..." The "world" in this verse refers to the philosophers. Hence, the Scripture tells us that no one using the philosophies of mankind can ever come to a knowledge of God. Never! Never! Never!
- Because God opposes such thinking. 1 Corinthians 1:19 says - "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." As pertaining to the things of God like salvation, He takes the treasured learning of this world and confounds it. He shows it to be of no value. All the schemes of human reasoning and planning are brought to nothing through the preaching of the Cross.
- Because it is pagans who seek after Carnal Wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:22 says - "...and the Greeks seek after wisdom." The Greek philosophers of Paul's day sought after schemes which depended on human wisdom and reasoning. In all actuality, these "learned" men despised the Gospel and all the things pertaining to God and the salvation of mankind through the Cross of Calvary.
- Because Carnal Wisdom is diametrically opposed to the Doctrines of Christ. Colossians 2:8 says - "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." These philosophers - through their corruptible teachings - perverted the minds of the people and led them away from the Truths of Christ. Violently, they spoiled their souls of all Faith and Hope, bringing great confusion, while leaving them stripped and naked and on the road to perishing. They taught the people to lean on their own human reasoning rather than on the Holy principles of God's Word.
- Because Carnal Wisdom renders the Cross of Christ of none effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17 says - "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ
should be made of none effect."
What this is doing is making the "cross of Christ" of "none effect" in people's lives. Arising in our midst are a people who claim to be saved but know not the Power of God to live one second without sin. Why is that? Simply because they have never had the foundation of the Cross laid to their old sin nature, and consequently, they are continuing in sin - wearing the label of "Christian."
What an abomination this is in the sight of the Holy God!
So, we ask the Churches throughout the land these very piercing questions -
Where is the Holy Spirit in your midst?
What is this philosophy and carnal wisdom that we hear coming from your pulpits?
Who told you to resort to such foolhardiness?
Do you realize that you are fighting God here by looking to "Egypt" (this world's system) and its philosophies, while totally nullifying the Power of the Cross in people's lives?
Let's read the inspired words of the Apostle Paul in hopes that we, as the Church, will come to our spiritual senses - "But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10-12).
Can it get any plainer than this?
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."
Because we have not "received...the spirit of the world," we do not preach the Gospel with "wisdom of words."
1 Corinthians 1:17 says - "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words..."
We must never forget that the Power to change men's lives does not lie in our words but in God's Words.
Because we have not "received...the spirit of the world," we do not resort to pompous displays of intelligence and learning in order to impress men and win their favor. 1 Corinthians 2:1 says - "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God."
What is the "testimony of God"? It is simply the Gospel, backed up by God's Miraculous Power.
The Apostle Paul - even though he was a highly educated and intelligent man - refused to resort to eloquent expressions and gracefully formed sentences when presenting the Gospel. He knew that the Greek philosophers and orators of his day used such means to substitute for truth and solidity. Paul's mission was to Preach the Truth - not impress men.
Because we have not "received...the spirit of the world," we do not seek to dazzle the crowds but enlighten them with the Truth. 1 Corinthians 2:13 says - "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." God's Word needs no garnishing by man's carnal wisdom. However, what it does need in order to be effectively preached is the Holy Spirit's Anointing to open, unfold, explain, fit, and adapt it to men's lives.
Oh! For men and women who will not dare to enter the pulpit until God comes down and fills their mouths with His words and His words alone!
The Preaching of the Cross is God's answer for every dilemma that man will ever face in this life. It needs no garnishing by the philosophies of men.
It's time like never before for the Church to take William Gurnall's godly counsel to heart - "...Renounce this carnal wisdom which cannot perceive spiritual things, and beg wisdom of God, who gives without rebuke."
From the pulpit to the pew, let us "beg wisdom of God."
The needy of this world are longing for us to become all that the Almighty has designed for us to be. Let's not disappoint them.
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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