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We Are Not to Glory in Worldly Wisdom, August 14
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom.
Jeremiah 9:23
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Men are not to rejoice in their wisdom, their strength, or their riches,
but in the fact that they have a knowledge of Christ. This knowledge is
the most excellent, the most precious, that we can possess. It is the pledge
of everlasting life. For “this is life eternal, that we might know thee the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Money cannot buy
it, intellect cannot grasp it, power cannot command it; but to all who will
accept it God’s glorious grace is freely given. But men may feel their need,
and, renouncing all self-dependence, accept salvation as a gift. Those who
enter heaven will not scale its walls by their own righteousness, nor will
its gates be opened to them for costly offerings of gold or silver; but they
will gain an entrance to the many mansions of the Father’s house through
the merits of the cross of Christ....
The self-righteous feel no need of Christ. And when those who profess
His name extol their own wisdom and goodness, they give evidence that
they are not acquainted with Him. As soon as Christ is revealed to the soul,
the sinner feels that his only hope is in the Lamb of God as the propitiation
for sin. As Christ begins to open His love before him watch the effect,
and see what it is. Many claim this experience who are strangers to the
love of Christ. But if it leads one to look with humility upon himself, ... if
he gives evidence that the heavenly reward is of more value to him than
his worldly possessions, we may know that beams of life from Christ are
shining upon his soul
Out of Christ, human wisdom in all its forms is foolishness; for those
who trust in their own wisdom, have lost eternity out of their reckoning....
To all who believe in Jesus as able to save unto the uttermost all that come
unto God by Him, the gospel is the power and wisdom of God
[234]
27
The Review and Herald, March 15, 1887
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28
The Youth’s Instructor, January 19, 1893
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