Consider His wisdom, His infinite wisdom in orchestrating all things for His own glory and the good of those He loves. The Lord has undoubtedly displayed and manifested infinite wisdom in His works of creation, providence, and the governance of the world. He has created all His creatures with wisdom: “How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures,” as expressed in Psalm 104:24. His providence encompasses the support and guidance of all things, harmonizing them towards their appointed ends and His own glory. As stated in Isaiah 28:29, “All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.” Furthermore, His law is to be eternally admired for its excellence in wisdom, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 4:7-8. However, there is an aspect that even Paul marvels at, a dimension in which God will forever be exalted. He refers to it as “the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God” in Romans 11:33. This depth of wisdom is only revealed and hidden by Christ. That is why Christ is described as “the wisdom of God” and “made to us wisdom.” The purpose of God, which is carried out through Him and revealed in the Gospel, is called “the wisdom of God” and a “mystery,” even “the hidden wisdom that God ordained before the world began, which none of the rulers of this age understood,” as stated in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8. Ephesians 3:10 refers to it as “the manifold wisdom of God.” To fully comprehend the depth and richness of this wisdom, the verse tells us that even the principalities and powers, even the angels themselves, have only begun to grasp it since God revealed it by gathering a church of sinners. Peter also informs us that even those who are familiar with all the works of God still bow down and eagerly desire to look into these matters—the things of God’s wisdom in the Gospel—as mentioned in 1 Peter 1:12. It requires great wisdom to craft a skillful work, structure, or building, but to restore the same structure to even greater beauty and glory after it has been defaced, that is the epitome of wisdom. In the beginning, God created everything good, glorious, and beautiful. When all things possessed innocence and beauty, reflecting the clear imprint of His wisdom and goodness, they were truly magnificent, particularly man, who was created for God’s special glory. However, this beauty was marred by sin, and the entire creation was plunged into darkness, wrath, curses, confusion, and the suppression of God’s great praise. Above all, man was utterly lost and fell short of the glory of God for which he was created, as Romans 3:23 proclaims. In this context, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God is revealed. A design hidden within Christ, lodged in the depths of eternity, shines forth to restore all things to a state far more advantageous for God’s glory than what was initially perceived and to place sinners in an inconceivably better condition than before the entrance of sin. He now appears glorious, known as a God who pardons iniquity and sin, and magnifies the riches of His grace, which was His purpose, as Ephesians 1:6 affirms. He has also infinitely vindicated His justice before the eyes of men, angels, and devils by presenting His Son as a propitiation. This restoration is to our advantage, firmly establishing us in His favor and leading us towards a weight of glory surpassing anything previously revealed. Hence, the ancient writer exclaims, “O felix culpa, quae talem meruit redemptorem!” (O happy fault, which gained for us such a Redeemer!). As Paul declares, “Great is the mystery of godliness” in 1 Timothy 3:16, and without controversy, “From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace” (John 1:16)—grace lost in Adam but surpassed by even greater grace in Christ. Undeniably, this is a profound depth of wisdom. Additionally, the union between Christ and His church, and His love for her, in order to accomplish this purpose, is called “a great mystery” in Ephesians 5:32, emphasizing the greatness of the wisdom contained within.
So, then, this great and indescribable treasure of God’s wisdom is hidden in Christ—the wisdom of pardoning sin, saving sinners, satisfying justice, fulfilling the law, restoring His own honor, and providing us with an exceedingly weighty glory. All of this is accomplished in a way that angels and men could never have conceived, whereby the glory of God is restored and sinful creatures are delivered from eternal ruin. As it is written, on the last day, God “will be glorified in his holy people and will be marveled at among all those who have believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:10). The bringing of believers to Himself will be a marvelous event, forever magnifying God. Saving sinners through faith will be recognized as a work far more admirable than creating the world out of nothing.
John Owen. THE SAINTS’ FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST UNFOLDED.
