Displaying God’s Wisdom in 2022

“…so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.”

Ephesians 3:10

The mystery has been revealed. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1 Tim 1:15) Astounding truth! God became man; the man Christ Jesus who knew no sin became sin. Jews and Gentiles now can become the righteousness of God through the God-Man who lived a perfect life and died a perfect death. 

Another astounding truth: He has chosen, called, saved and appointed the church to proclaim this message! And when the church does, all cosmic powers marvel at the wisdom of God!

A new year starts today by God’s amazing grace. My prayer is that the wisdom of God be made manifest in the proclamation, testimony, activities and involvement of the church in this fallen world. 

May those who have been redeemed by Christ testify in words and deeds to God’s wise plan of salvation. May we bring the HOPE of the Gospel to those who desperately need it. 

God’s wisdom is magnified when the church:

• Proclaims the Gospel with Boldness (Eph 3:12a): in an era when any conviction is considered bigotry, the church must more than ever be the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim 3:15). At individual level, and as a community, the church must be busy with what it has been primarily redeemed for: to be disciples of Christ calling others to become disciples of Christ. 

How to apply this in 2022? Prayerfully think of 3 people you would like to share the Gospel to this year. Regularly engage with them as the Lord allows and continually pray for their salvation. Pray also for “spontaneous” opportunities, people that cross your path to whom you can be light. 

• Displays Absolute Dependance (Eph 3:12b): May we individually and corporately pray more than we ever had. May we realize even more that in this fight, we need constant communication with our general. May we realize that prayer must be the heartbeat of everything we do. Friends, every great endeavor to glorify God starts on your knees. Your personal life, the life of the church, missions and evangelism, everything! What are the new resolutions you set for yourself this year? Being salt and light in the world? Fight injustices, such as abortion? Transformation of the world you live in? A God-honoring marriage? Being God-honoring in the workplace? It all starts on your knees. 

How to apply this in 2022? Have you considered starting a prayer journal? Have you considered seriously using the prayer app that has been on your phone since long ago? Humble people pray (1 Pet 5:6-7). May we humble ourselves before our God. 

• Displays Absolute Confidence (Eph 3:13): Afflictions are many in a fallen world. The global pandemic continues to bring its share of hardships to many people around the world. But God is still on His throne (Isa 6:3). His purposes still cannot be thwarted; He still does whatever He wishes according to His promises. He will prevail. He will finish the good work He started in us. He will return to reign and make everything right.  Afflictions and persecution sometime even accelerate the process of sanctification. He works all things for our eternal good and His glory. In that, we can rest. 

How to apply this in 2022? Choose to put on biblical-worldview lenses as you look at the news, think about your future, make daily choices. Let the Bible dictate how you live, not public opinions or governmental mandates. This year may be a good time for you to seek to develop your understanding of the Bible and how it applies to present circumstances? It may be a year for you to learn to contend for the faith, “…being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear.” (1 Pet 3:15)

May He be enthroned as King in our lives as we submit every area of our lives to His supreme care. 

When our lives manifest boldness, dependance and confidence, the whole universe marvels at the wisdom of our God. May we be honorable tools in the hands of our Wise God! 

Happy new year!