- For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
- But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
- And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
- That no flesh should glory in his presence.
- But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
- That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
- At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
- Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
- And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
- And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
- If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
- He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
The knowledge of the doctrine depends on the keeping the commandments of God, rather than on the formal theological education. Here addressed scribes and Pharisees which they had the formal theological education. Also we preach, whose words are we using? Our own, someone else, or Gods? This shows us what glory we are looking for? If we are sent by God, then we seek His glory, and we use His words, not ours, nor someone’s else.
No man, no matter how high his calling or responsibility, can fully understand the Word of God unless he practises that Word in his daily life. If the truth is made practical, then he gives expression in his character to the comfort and peace of God that passeth understanding. A child in years may be able to comprehend the meaning of the practical lessons of Christ, when the most learned masters and teachers are ignorant of their significance. “Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” {EGW; PrT April 9, 1896, par. 1}
It is a dangerous thing for men to resist the Spirit of truth and grace and righteousness, because its manifestations are not according to their ideas, and have not come in the line of their methodical plans. The Lord works in His own way, and according to His own devising. Let men pray that they may be divested of self, and may be in harmony with heaven. Let them pray, “Not my will, but Thine, O God, be done.” Let men bear in mind that God’s ways are not their ways, nor His thoughts their thoughts: for He says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” {EGW; PrT April 9, 1896, par. 2}
…
Where were the scientific methods in this warfare? The Lord works in His own way in order that men shall not lift themselves up in pride of intellect, and take the credit and glory to themselves. The Lord would have every human being understand that His capabilities and endowments are from the Lord. God works by whom He will. He takes those whom He pleases to do His work, and He does not consult those to whom He will send His messenger as to what are their preferences concerning who and what manner of person they would like to bring the message of God to them. {EGW; PrT April 9, 1896, par. 5}
God will use men who are willing to be used. The Lord would use men of the highest intelligence if they would permit Him to mould and fashion them, and to shape their testimony after his own order. Men high or low, learned or ignorant, had better let the Lord manage and take care of the safety of His own ark. The work of men is to obey the voice of God. Whoever has a connection with the work and cause of God, is to be continually under the discipline of God. “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his strength, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord that exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” {EGW; PrT April 9, 1896, par. 6}