THEME: HUMAN WISDOM AND CREATION ARE FALSE, TEMPORARY IDOLS 

“I am the LORD, that is My Name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images” (Isaiah 42:8) 

Life is essentially spirit.  It is the spirit in man that keeps man alive and active.  When the spirit goes out of man, life ceases. This is a basic truth.  The Bible gives the clue to this when it declares that man fashioned from clay became a living soul when God breathed the breath of life or spirit into the image of clay. 

In fact, the Bible has declared further that God the Creator is the father of all spirits and thus source of life.  No one has power of life in him except GOD and His Christ (John 5:26; 6:38-40, 47-48). 

That is to say, there is life because there is God.  The breath of God is the source of spirit, strength, power, and wisdom, and in the end knowledge of man. Without spirit and power of life, knowledge and the fruit thereof is impossible. That is, knowledge is the manifestation of spirit, divine spirit working in man to unearth hidden treasures in nature for the benefit of man whom the Creator has given dominion over the earth for His glory. 

The treasures of nature are ready to be unfolded by the application of the endowed powers of man, powers, which are by themselves, defined, prescribed and set in motion and operation within pre-determined and defined boundaries. 

Now, the treasures of nature are themselves part of creation.  Nature has no power as of itself except that which is designed, endowed and prescribed in it by the Creator.  Creation has no inbuilt capacity to add to its capabilities.  God has defined and has ultimate control over all things. The findings and advances in science and technology are of and from things preset in nature waiting for discovery.  However, discovery is itself subject to the will and design of God.  Says the Preacher… “Man cannot find out all the work done on earth by God.  Though he tries, yet shall he not be able to find it (Eccl. 8:17).  There is nothing new on earth. 

This thus is one truth.  The findings of the powers and virtues of nature and computations thereof cannot match the (original) wisdom and power behind nature. Man created in the image of God can and does manifest God’s nature, wisdom and power, but this also in a limited, prescribed and defined way as designed by God.  Man is not God.  Man cannot be God.  God is the Creator. God can create, change and transform man.  But He has not made man to be God, true and effectual as Himself.  There is, there can be and there will be only one God. 

It is apparent from the foregoing that the creations of man, the computations from nature, including additions, wisdom and power from angels, spirits, principalities and powers cannot match the wisdom, power and works of God. Man, and his creation are part of the works of God.  In the end, the accepted and approved works of God will be the only ultimate and abiding reality. 

It must be mentioned in this respect that although man can be created anew, transformed in Christ and granted entrance into the Divine Nature and access to Divine supernatural powers, although man can be given right to tap into the fullness of God, the New Man cannot but work within the Divine Will, Framework and Purposes.  It is God who works in the redeemed both to will and to do according to his pleasure. The redeemed and servant of God however endowed cannot do and must not seek to do outside the Will, Commandments, Purposes and Glory of God. 

Lucifer tried to do outside the will of the Creator to his peril.  Jesus Christ on the other hand was obedient to the end. The one created was cast out of the presence of God.  The one born was received into glory.  The man born anew through Christ will be received into glory, if he remains obedient and faithful to the end. 

There is no substitute to the will and purposes of God.  There is no power or wisdom but that ordained by God.  Anything outside is an abomination. Spirits can build their kingdoms.  Men can build empires, yet all within the natural boundaries and confines of divine will, purposes and God’s Kingdom Glory.  Anything other than this will not stand. 

Not only are the works of men and spirits the graven images, susceptible to change, corruption and failure, they can never stand the Beauty and Glory of the Kingdom of the Eternal Father.  Everything shall pass away.  All kingdoms shall be shaken.  Only those in the Kingdom of God will stand and remain. 

“Behold, the former things are come to pass, And new things do I declare”. 

These new things are built around and can be found only in the Only Begotten, the son given, even Jesus Christ.  It is He who has opened the door of the Divine Nature, the New Creation and Birth in and unto the Father.  He also has opened the door of Life Eternal and the Kingdom of God on earth to all men. 

“They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed. That trusts in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods”  

O, how many people faint at the well of living waters, who build their faith and lives in human wisdom and knowledge defying and or challenging the Creator thereby. 

In the pride and power of puny human spirit and mind, men try to persuade themselves that they are in perfect control of their lives.  They compare the natural, physical and elemental with the Divine Spirit, Power and Wisdom of the Creator.  But says the scripture, the kingdoms of the world and their glory will pass away.  In fact, they will be overtaken and turned into the Kingdom of God and His Christ. 

Thus, the Psalmist declares that men at their best are but vanity.  Behold, all things shall pass away, but the word of God abides ever. 

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.  Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, all is vanity”. 

Don’t turn your life over unto the works of spirits and men, graven images, all of them.  Trust not in yourself, nor the craftiness of Satan, nor the wisdom of the worldly wise. 

Turn not the gifts of life, the natural talents and spiritual gifts into building cities and empires neither for your glory nor for the glory of spirits and men.  Build no graven images.  Worship them not.  Put not your trust in man or his creation. 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God and Keep His Commandments: For this is the whole duty of man, For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.  

Wednesday, September 10, 2003