Two Greek sculptors once competed for the placing of a statue on a pillar in the public square of a large city. The first worked long until the features of his figure were smooth and polished. The second artist worked carefully but left his block of marble crude and, in some places, jagged. The city fathers looked at the two and chose the first. However, when it was placed high on the pillar, all the fine features were blurred by the distance. Someone suggested the second image be tried. When it was in place, everyone was surprised to see it was a perfect likeness. The distance in viewpoint made the difference.
No doubt, the Corinthians had difficulty understanding God. All their fine theology and polished human reasoning failed to bring the truth of God into focus. Paul took this occasion to tell them they were looking from the wrong viewpoint. He also admonished them to realize that the Spirit of God reveals God to men. He tells them: But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).
Perhaps the reason why modern man has failed in his search for God is that his focus is wrong. While scientific and human reasoning is good, it fails to bring God into focus. It is through faith that we are saved. The Bible says: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Paul noted that as we are filled with God's Spirit, understanding comes because the Spirit searches even the deep things of God.
“No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God —his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.”
1 Corinthians 2:7-8 NLT
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