What is Jesus to you? Savior? Lord? Teacher? Friend? Yes, he must be all these and more.

The Christians at Corinth had a mistaken notion of wisdom. This gave rise to pride which resulted in divisions. Paul sought to disabuse them of the notion that worldly wisdom was preferred.

“For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart’” (1 Corinthians 1:19).

Messiah crucified was an obstacle too massive for some Jews. That a god would care about mankind to the extent that he would come and become one of them was foolishness to the Greek world.

“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Yet it is this stumbling block, this foolish thing, which is the power and wisdom of God. Jesus’ incarnation and crucifixion demonstrate the wisdom of God’s plan to save man.

Read again 1 Corinthians 1:30 quoted above. As the ESV renders it, God’s wisdom is further explained by three terms: “righteousness,” “sanctification,” and “redemption.”

Righteousness

God’s righteousness is revealed in Jesus (Romans 3:21, 22). Man sinned, the law was broken, and Jesus satisfied the punishment due us. His sacrificial gift on the cross allowed God to account us as righteous. Thus God can be both just and the justifier.

Sanctification

Those who are in Jesus have been set apart by the Father. Why would he do that? Isaiah offers us a preview of what sanctification in Jesus partially is. When Isaiah is given a view of the One who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3), he despairs for he is tainted by his sin and the sin of his people (Isaiah 6:5). But God cleanses Isaiah (Isaiah 6:6, 7) and then sets him on a task (Isaiah 6:8-13).

When Jesus prayed to His Father concerning his disciples, he requests that the Father, “sanctify them in the truth” (John 17:17), and ties that to Jesus sending them into the world (John 17:18).

We are sanctified not to sit but to strive and struggle for the Savior’s kingdom.

Redemption

We sold ourselves into slavery. When we choose to sin, we allow sin to reign over us.

“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

But for those in Jesus, we have, “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). This redemption is eternal in nature (Hebrews 9:12).

What is Christ to you? To me, he is the wisdom of God who makes me righteous, sets me apart for his work, and redeems my immortal soul.

Praise God for his wisdom! Praise God for Christ Jesus!

Lee Parish, link to original article