Words to the Wise: A Song of Delight
For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.
Colossians 2:1-4
Recently, I have been trying to read philosophy for fun, when I have the time. Note the emphasis on the word trying. Despite my interest in subjects like the philosophy of law, ethics, and identity, as a psychology student, I was trained more in the area of empirical philosophy (science) than, comparatively, in the logical argumentation that philosophy also depends on - which is, unfortunately, what philosophy books tend to rely on.
But then I remember who Jesus is, and I hope. For Jesus is the Truth, and the wisdom and power of God (John 14:6, 1 Corinthians 1:24). This means I could learn from Him all I need to know, and that gives me reason to rejoice.
One of the most underutilized descriptions of Jesus in the American church today is that of Jesus as the truth, I think. We tend to focus on Jesus as the only way to God, and as the Life, considering how Jesus has given us abundant life. Whether it is out of ignorance or willful blindness, I cannot say.
But being that truth is connected to love, such that love rejoices in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6), we must consider this relationship and see what it reveals about the love of God.
Why does love rejoice in the truth?
First, the truth reveals the way things really are.
It is appropriate to call Jesus the Beautiful Man, since He is human; in contrast to the sinful people around Him, He lived perfectly: healing the sick, raising the dead, testifying to the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
In these actions and others, Jesus highlighted the reality of sin around him, but in his crucifixion and resurrection, provided hope that if we turned to Him, He could make us like Him. C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity (paraphrased) that if there is injustice, well, there must be some standard of justice to compare it to.
Similarly, in his perfection, Jesus exposes the reality of the sin that we - as once sinners - were blind to - while also showing mercy to us by pardoning us of our sins and giving us new life.
Secondly, and relatedly, the truth exposes evil, and sets things right.
Evil is an unfortunate and permanent reality of this world in its current form. It is nothing in itself but a twisting of the good.
When Jesus writes in the dirt after the Pharisees condemn the adulterous woman, likely He is exposing their evil (and, thus, hypocrisy) and setting things right: as sinners, they have no grounds for damning her.
Even though Jesus shows this woman mercy - He, after all, does have the right to stone her - he also tells her to sin no more.
Jesus knew full well that this woman had committed adultery, which the Pharisees accused her of. But Jesus delights in showing her mercy, and His mercy triumphs over judgment. In telling her to sin no more, he lets her go free and sets things right by telling her to repent.
Indeed, the truth sets you free (John 8:32).
Have you ever been afraid, believing a lie? On the other hand, when we know the truth - about Jesus, about who we are in Him - we are confident, having hope. The above verse can also be read as a description of Jesus (see John 14:6).
If you know Jesus, the Truth, you will be set free. No longer are you a slave to sin, but a child of God (Galatians 4:6-7) - free to live as a slave to righteousness as a daughter of God. We too, because of Jesus, can live as beautiful people, because that’s what we are (Colossians 3:12).
Is it any wonder that love rejoices in the truth? Truth is a good, beautiful thing. And it is the truth of the gospel that Paul wants the Colossian church to understand (Ephesians 3:6-10): that the gospel has gone to non-Jews like you and me.
He also says that he doesn’t want them to be deceived by persuasive words, nor taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 3:8).
I don’t think that Paul is saying that we should not read non-Christian philosophy. He says to beware that you are not being taken captive by their ideas.
Rather, we should know Jesus, the Truth, so well that if and when we do, we can have a full understanding and deeper perspective of God’s world, one that was created through Jesus, the wisdom of God (Proverbs 8:22-31; John 1:1-5; 1 Corinthians 1:24).
If there are any girls weighing a vocational call to philosophy, I say, if God is leading you - go for it. Let your philosophy, your “love of wisdom” be formed by Christ, the Truth and wisdom of God, as you love Him with your mind.
Even if you are not called thus, let your love for Christ shape your mind; read His word seeking to know Him deeper and live well by obeying His commandments.
And as you know the truth, let your soul sing, delighting in the fact that God loves you so much to reveal truth to you.
We’d love to hear from you! Please let us know your thoughts below.
How does it impact your view of Jesus to know that He is the wisdom and power of God, and the Truth? Are these descriptions of Jesus you have heard before?
How does it make you feel to know that love is connected to truth?
What is one thing you want to do to remind you that truth is a beautiful thing?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ozi Ojukwu is a girl wildly in love with Jesus. A recent graduate of Cedarville University, she is a 2022 Colson Fellow, having learned about the fundamentals of a Christian worldview and how it connects to all of public life. She is a first-generation Nigerian-American and loves writing poetry and music, dabbles in photography, and is obsessed with popular culture. A bookworm to the core, she loves reading both historical fiction and memoirs. Her favorite verse is Romans 1:16.