Join us as we explore Steven Charnock's insights into the wisdom of God, drawn from chapter nine of "The Existence and Attributes of God." This episode dives into the ways we often undermine God's wisdom, and how we can instead embrace and live by it. We'll examine the various ways that humans disrespect God's wisdom, and then explore the transformative power of aligning ourselves with His divine understanding.

We begin by looking at the ways in which sin attacks God's wisdom. First, sin defaces the image of God within us, which is a masterpiece of His wisdom. Second, we disregard His laws, essentially placing our own reason above God's. The episode outlines seven distinct expressions of rejecting God's wisdom. These include inventing our own forms of worship, neglecting prayer and the Lord's Supper, criticizing God's revelations, trying to dictate God's actions, and murmuring with impatience. We also reject God's wisdom through pride and arrogance by trying to elevate ourselves above others, and by distrusting His promises, choosing to rely on worldly systems instead.

Next, we shift to exploring what it looks like to embrace and honor God's wisdom in our daily lives. This starts with cultivating a deep reverence for God’s wisdom that permeates our entire being, going beyond mere outward rituals. We can cultivate this through immersing ourselves in God's word, gaining insight into his character, purposes, and ways. We also can see the natural world as a testament to God's wisdom, which helps us understand spiritual truths. We should invite God into every aspect of our lives, bringing our burdens and questions to Him in prayer. Even when we make mistakes, God's grace guides us back to the right path.

Finally, we discuss how to discern between God's wisdom and the wisdom of the world. Worldly wisdom leads to strife, envy, and brokenness, while God's wisdom produces peace, joy, and unity. We must be intentional about what we allow into our minds and hearts, being discerning about the books we read, the shows we watch, and the people we spend time with. We are also called to surround ourselves with others who are seeking God's wisdom. We will examine how God's wisdom guides our relationships, informing our approach to work, and shaping our decision-making processes. We are encouraged to approach relationships with humility and selflessness. We will learn to see our work as an expression of our God-given gifts and talents, used to serve both God and others, not merely a way to earn a paycheck. We need to seek God’s will through prayer and scripture in all decisions, trusting that God is sovereign and will work all things together for good.

This episode offers a compelling look at how God's wisdom is not just an abstract idea, but a practical guide for everyday life. We discover how to recognize the subtle ways we reject God's wisdom, and how to intentionally seek and embrace it instead, to transform our lives.

Join us as we explore Steven Charnock's insights on God's wisdom, specifically focusing on Chapter 9 of "The Existence and Attributes of God". This episode delves into the profound ways God's wisdom is revealed through the plan of redemption. We'll uncover how God's wisdom is not just a concept, but a dynamic force that shapes all of reality.

We will examine how Christ's life and death satisfy the demands of the law, covering both our obligation to obey and the punishment for sin. We'll discuss how Christ's perfect life meets the law's demand for righteousness, while His death on the cross takes care of the penalty our sin deserves. Through faith, Christ's righteousness is credited to us, making us right with God, not because of anything we've done, but because of what Christ has done. This doesn't give us a license to sin, but rather, it’s about being made right with God, even though we don't deserve it.

The discussion will also tackle the seeming paradox of how God can hate sin with a fiery passion and yet love the sinner. We'll explore the examples of God's judgment, such as the punishment of Satan and Adam's expulsion from paradise, that reveal God's intense hatred for sin. We will also discuss how God's sacrifice of his own son is the ultimate demonstration of God's hatred for sin. This is a love that offers a way back to God and a path to a joy greater than what Adam and Eve had in the garden.

Furthermore, we will see how God's wisdom is displayed in how He uses Satan's schemes to bring about his own defeat. Although Satan thought he had won by orchestrating Jesus' crucifixion, this was exactly what God had planned all along. The tools Satan thought would seal his victory become the very instruments of his defeat, illustrating how the foolishness of God is wiser than men. We'll discuss why God chose faith as the condition for experiencing redemption, as opposed to perfect obedience or intellectual knowledge of theological facts. True faith is a heartfelt trust and reliance on God’s promises.

We'll also consider how God gradually revealed His plan throughout history, starting with the promise to Abraham and continuing through the prophets, covenants, and the structure of the Jewish nation. The sacrificial system and other rituals in the Old Testament are discussed as tangible representations foreshadowing Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. We'll look at how God chose ordinary people, not the elite, to spread the message, showcasing His divine power. The impact these individuals had could only be attributed to supernatural help.

Finally, we'll explore how persecution, intended to stop the early church, actually helped spread the message, and how those challenges refined the faith of believers. We will also consider how the accuracy of prophecy shows how God is the author of history and that His plan is unfolding exactly as He intended. We will examine the interconnectedness of the types and ceremonies within the Old Testament, as visual aids to understand God's plan. We conclude by considering the power of paradox and how we can trust that God is working everything together for good, even when we can't see the whole picture. We'll discuss how God can use our weaknesses and limitations if we are willing to surrender to Him, drawing upon the example of how God used the seemingly unqualified apostles to turn the world upside down.

Join us as we delve into Steven Charnock's profound exploration of God's wisdom from his work "The Existence and Attributes of God," specifically Chapter 9. This episode explores the seemingly paradoxical idea of how God can use sin and affliction for good. We examine how God uses our missteps as opportunities to move us toward holiness, taking the broken pieces of our lives and creating a mosaic of grace.

One key aspect we unpack is how God uses sin to reveal even more sin within us. Using the example of King David, we discuss how God exposes our hypocrisy, like fire revealing hidden smoke. This exposure, while painful, brings us to a place of self-abhorrence, a crucial first step towards spiritual growth. We also explore how our mistakes lead to greater watchfulness, as seen in David's hyper-awareness of his own weakness after his fall, which caused him to refuse even seemingly harmless things.

Further, we discuss how God uses sin to "mortify by sin," a concept illustrated by the analogy of a wild beast being put down. This idea suggests that sometimes God allows sin to erupt in our lives, forcing us to confront it head-on, which ultimately leads to its destruction. The struggle against sin can even be a sign of spiritual strength, as illustrated by Peter's denial of Christ leading to a deeper commitment and resilient faith. Additionally, we'll explore how God uses sin to promote sanctification, likening it to a fall into the mud that prompts us to clean not just the new stain but also other ignored ones. This is a process of spiritual spring cleaning, where one big mess leads to a closer look at everything.

The episode also examines how God may allow a decrease in grace, leading to sin, to ultimately increase our habitual grace. The pain and brokenness caused by sin drive us to resist it more fervently, fueling our desire for holiness. Humility also plays a key role in this process, making us more receptive to God's grace. The more we acknowledge our need for God, the more He pours into our lives. Furthermore, we discuss how God often chooses the weak and foolish to build His kingdom to demonstrate that it is not our strength but His power working through us. God's timing is also a key point, using Paul's conversion as an illustration. Finally, we discuss that God's grace always works in accordance with our nature, gently drawing us to himself without forcing, and even in disciplinary actions, God's wisdom shines through with punishments tailored to the individual. We conclude by noting that even in suffering, God is working all things together for our good, refining us and shaping us into the people He wants us to be. God's wisdom is transformative, changing how we see everything, offering hope, peace, and the reminder that His ways are higher than ours. We discuss that we are to cooperate with God in the process of transformation, allowing His grace to shape us into the image of Christ.

Join us as we embark on a journey to understand the multifaceted nature of God's wisdom, drawing from Steven Charnock's profound work. We explore how God’s wisdom is not just a concept, but an intrinsic part of His being. It’s the source of all true wisdom, described as original, perfect, universal, and perpetual. This wisdom is flawlessly woven into every aspect of creation, from the grand design to the smallest details. We'll consider how every creature, each with its unique purpose, contributes to the beauty and order of the universe, and how the diversity we see is crucial for societal harmony. We also look at how even the seemingly insignificant parts play a vital role in God’s grand scheme.

Our discussion further considers how God's wisdom extends beyond the physical realm into the intricate workings of the human soul. We have the capacity to understand, remember, and choose, allowing us to connect with God on a deeper level. This human capacity for love, creativity, and thought all points back to a wise and loving creator. We'll also delve into how God's wisdom is reflected in moral law, designed to protect human flourishing and create a just society. Even the laws of non-Christian nations echo this, revealing an innate sense of right and wrong.

We'll confront the challenging question of how God's wisdom governs sin. We discuss how God restrains evil, preventing total chaos, and how He can use the actions of even wicked people to serve His purposes. The ultimate example is the fall of man, which God used to bring forth redemption through Jesus Christ. This incredible display of grace and love demonstrates God’s sovereignty, and we further explore how God can use the sin in a believer's life for their ultimate benefit. Even our failures reveal our need for grace and dependence on God. We'll discuss how these failures highlight the immeasurable value of Christ's sacrifice and spur us toward holiness. We will also consider how God uses struggles with sin to cultivate humility.

We further explore how God’s wisdom is a constant force in our lives, even in the seemingly small things. We'll consider how God sometimes allows us to stumble so that we learn to rely on Him. Peter’s denial of Christ is a powerful example of how God steps in to support us when we falter, and it leads us to appreciate Christ's sacrifice even more. Even our imperfections, when we bring them to God, highlight the amazing grace of God through Christ's intercession for us. We look at how our struggles with sin can lead to humility. Ultimately, we find that our weakness, when brought before God, becomes the very means through which His strength is made manifest. We conclude by reflecting on how we can surrender more fully to God’s wise and loving plan, seeing God's wisdom at work in our lives.

In this episode, we explore the concept of God's wisdom as presented in Steven Charnock's "The Existence and Attributes of God," defining wisdom as acting for a right end, observing all circumstances, and adhering to a right rule. God's wisdom is not just an attribute but is intrinsic to His essence, original, perfect, universal, and perpetual. This wisdom is all-encompassing, from the smallest atom to the vast cosmos, actively involved in every aspect of creation. While the depths of God's wisdom are incomprehensible to finite human minds, recognizing this should lead to humility and wonder. Unlike human wisdom, God's wisdom is infallible, always achieving its intended purpose.

The episode emphasizes how God's unchanging wisdom interacts with a dynamic world through His providence, likened to a chess grandmaster anticipating and adapting to every move. Humans can participate in God's wisdom through studying the Bible and prayer. However, it is important to discern between God's wisdom and our own inclinations. True wisdom aligns with God's character and His will revealed in scripture. Walking in God's wisdom involves acknowledging our need for His guidance and allowing His Spirit to work through us, rather than achieving perfection. Attentiveness to God's presence is vital, requiring us to listen for His voice throughout the day.

Finally, the episode connects God's wisdom to the gospel, stating that it is ultimately aimed at our redemption. The gospel is described as the manifold wisdom of God, with every aspect from the incarnation to the resurrection revealing God’s plan. In Christ, we see the fullness of God’s wisdom displayed not only in creation but also in our salvation, and through faith, we become partakers of that wisdom. Get ready to be challenged to actively seek God's wisdom, make wise choices, and act accordingly, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform them into the likeness of Christ.

Journey with us as we explore a challenging yet liberating aspect of Stephen Charnock's The Existence and Attributes of God: how we can distort and even deny God's omniscience. This episode delves into the uncomfortable reality that our actions often reveal a flawed understanding of what it means for God to know everything. Prepare to be challenged and convicted as we uncover the subtle ways we attempt to limit God's knowledge and control, ultimately hindering our own growth and intimacy with Him.

We’ll unpack Charnock’s insightful analysis of three specific practices that encroach upon God's unique attribute of omniscience: praying to saints, indulging in excessive curiosity about the future, and swearing by creatures. Discover how these seemingly innocuous actions can subtly shift our understanding of who truly holds all knowledge and power, ultimately diminishing God's glory and hindering our own understanding of His character.

Prepare to confront your own tendencies to “presume upon” God’s omniscience, such as neglecting prayer because "God already knows," or offering partial confessions, thinking we can hide certain sins from His sight. We'll explore how these behaviors stem from a lack of trust in God's mercy and grace and can ultimately lead to a disconnect between our outward actions and inward motives.

This episode invites you to embrace the transformative power of living in light of God's complete and perfect knowledge. Discover how acknowledging God’s omniscience in every area of life can lead to radical sincerity, genuine humility, and a deeper reliance on His guidance and strength. Prepare to be challenged and encouraged as we uncover the freedom and joy that come from embracing the reality of a God who sees us fully, knows us completely, and loves us unconditionally, even in our shortcomings and failures.

Journey with us into the captivating depths of Stephen Charnock's The Existence and Attributes of God as we explore the awe-inspiring and often perplexing concept of God's omniscience. This episode delves into the mind-boggling reality of a God who possesses perfect, complete, and unchanging knowledge, encompassing all things past, present, and future. Prepare to be challenged and enlightened as we unpack Charnock's intricate understanding of how God knows, and what that means for us.

We'll unravel the profound idea that God "knows by essence", meaning his knowledge isn't acquired through observation or learning like ours but is an intrinsic part of his very being. Imagine a divine blueprint containing all possibilities, choices, and outcomes—that's closer to how Charnock describes God's knowledge. We'll explore the fascinating concept of "knowing by one act of intuition", where God grasps everything instantly and completely, like reading an entire library in a single moment.

Prepare to be amazed as we delve into the implications of God's "distinct knowledge," meaning he perceives everything with perfect clarity and detail, like a divine microscope revealing the intricacies of creation. We'll grapple with the comforting yet sometimes unsettling truth that nothing is hidden from God, exploring how this reality should inspire humility, accountability, and a deeper trust in his unfailing love and care.

Tune in and be transformed by the power of understanding God's omniscience. This episode invites you to encounter a God who sees you fully, knows you completely, and loves you unconditionally. Prepare to have your perspective broadened, your faith deepened, and your heart filled with a sense of wonder and security as we unlock the mysteries of the all-knowing God.

Journey with us as we explore the depths of Stephen Charnock's The Existence and Attributes of God, focusing on the intricate relationship between God's foreknowledge and human free will. This episode delves into the profound mystery of how a God who sees the end from the beginning can still uphold our capacity to make genuine choices. Prepare to be challenged and inspired as we unravel the threads of divine sovereignty and human agency, discovering how they intertwine to form a beautiful tapestry of purpose and meaning.

We'll unpack Charnock's compelling arguments for God's comprehensive knowledge of future events, drawing on biblical examples like God's foreknowledge of the Jews' idolatry and Judas' betrayal of Jesus. Explore how God's knowledge of sin doesn't imply approval, but rather equips him to judge righteously and extend grace. Delve into the mind-boggling concept of God's timeless perspective, where past, present, and future coexist in a single eternal "glance".

Prepare to grapple with the tension between divine foreknowledge and human freedom. We'll explore Charnock's insights on contingencies—those seemingly random events that appear to contradict God's meticulous plan. Discover how God, in his infinite wisdom, integrates these contingencies into his overarching purpose, allowing us to experience true freedom within the framework of his sovereignty. We'll explore analogies like a doctor predicting a patient's illness based on their choices, illustrating how God's foreknowledge doesn't negate our responsibility but rather provides a context for his loving guidance.

Tune in and be transformed by the liberating truth that you are not a puppet in the hands of fate, but an active participant in God's grand narrative. This episode invites you to embrace the comfort and challenge of knowing that God sees the full tapestry of your life, including your choices, mistakes, and triumphs, weaving them into a masterpiece of love and redemption. Prepare to have your perspective broadened, your faith deepened, and your heart filled with a sense of wonder and security as we unlock the mysteries of God's foreknowledge and discover the profound meaning it holds for our lives.