Man cannot, will not, ever be able to comprehend the salvation that is provided through Jesus Christ and his atoning death upon the cross. (See 1 Cor 2:1-2; 1 Cor 2:14-16)
“But the natural (unbelieving) man does not accept the things (teachings and revelations)of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness (absurd and illogical) to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appricated,(and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters). 1 Cor 2:14 Amp.
Spiritual truths and salvation come by and through devine revelation. They are enlightenment that comes via the grace of God to the individual.
1 Cor 3:19-20 “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it matters; He catches the wise in their own craftiness; and again, the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise are futle.”
I will never forget one of my professors at community college. She was teaching on 20th century playwights. That day we had been discussing George Bernard Shaw. Shaw was a super intellectual Irish playwright.
In addition to his many great plays, he was known for his intellectual wisdom and prowess.
At that time in my life I was the pastor of a small local church, going to school and working construction part time. During our discussion the subject of God came up followed by the question of salvation. I don’t recall exactly what I said, but it was enough to pique the interest of the professor, and she requested that I remain after class.
She began to inquire if what made me so sure that I knew the way to salvation and that God was indeed real. I remember that I drew a circle on a piece of paper and put a dot in the middle of the circle. Then I wrote the names of a few of the playwrights, including George Bernard Shaw. I said, these men at times came close to the circle. The circle represented the truth, and God was the dot in the middle of the circle. I told her the only way to understand the truth was through devine revelation, and the only way to understand the salvation that Christ wrought was through the revelation of the Spirit of God. I told her that Christ said, “I am the truth and the light, and no man comes to the Father but by me.”
She stared at the diagram for what seemed like an eternity. And with a perplexed look, looked into my eyes and said, “I wish what you’re saying is true.” I said, “if you believe.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” The atmosphere in the room was quickly turning uncomfortable for both of us. After a moment of silence, she said, “thank you for staying after class and speaking with me.” I thanked her for her time as well, and left.
I don’t know what she decided to do with the information I had left her with that day, but something inside me told me that she had rejected what I told her, and that she just couldn’t believe it was that simple.
And that my friend is the problem. The Bible says, “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are parishing.”
Man his all his knowledge and wisdom can’t get his head around such a simple message. It just seems like nonsense, like foolishness. Whenever we compare the wisdom of God to the wisdom of man, there is no comparison.