God Made Visible (4)
George Stiekes
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (I Timothy 1:17)
The Spirit of God reveals a four-fold description of our God that every believer ought to understand and cherish if he is to truly know God and experience an intimate relationship with Him. Furthermore, it is important for us to understand that the Christ of Christmas is also known by these same descriptions. This is the fourth of the four descriptions.
4. THE ONLY WISE GOD
Thus far we have looked at God the Father and Son as being eternal, immortal and invisible. There are only three verses in the Bible that refer to God as being the “only wise God,” our text and Rm 16.25, 27 and Jude 24-25.
Romans 16:25, 27 – Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ…To God only wise be glory…
Jude 24, 25 – Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior…
To God only wise is a better rendering for there are not many gods. It is not that He is the only wise God and the rest are stupid. Regardless of the deception of Satan, there is only one God and He is the wise. We might say that He has cornered the market on wisdom, which he freely gives to those who ask for it. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5).
Much wisdom comes to the child of God who bathes himself in the Word of God. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (II Timothy 3:15).
From this perspective, no person is wise, no matter how well educated or trained if he does not know where he is going when he dies. Many people are moving in life without knowing where they are going. There is no wisdom to those who have not prepared for death by faith in Christ Jesus. Paul states that we become wise UNTO SALVATION.
In considering the facts of the incarnation and the plan of salvation which was all planned out before the foundation of the world, our God and Savior is so incredibly wise. No human being could have even imagined such a wonderful plan.
Notice that our text closes with “… be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. It is as we praise, serve, and honor God that He lives out His glory in our lives. Praising and honoring Him is giving Him the credit for what He does in and through us. Consider the incarnation over and over again this Christmas season. Recognize that it could only have been accomplished by the God Who is our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and end of all things. He is truly wise! Praise Him accordingly and choose to allow Him to be central in your Christmas celebrations this year.
George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.