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WISDOM THAT THE EYE DOES NOT SEE
The little
church of Cascarí had some things in common with the first century church of
Corinth. In some regards, both churches
were struggling. Both had seen people
who once professed to be Christian, fall away from the teaching and go back to the culture of the world.
For many of
Cascarí, their enslavement to the world the second time was perhaps stronger
than the first. I am not sure what to say about this, except, “May the Lord
have mercy on their souls.”
These unfaithful
ones tended to give a negative representation of the Christian life to the
people of the village of Cascarí, but I instead preferred to concentrate on the
few whom had remained faithful in their commitment, despite all hardships. Their continued commitment had not brought
them prosperity, nor did it make their lives free from trouble. Outwardly, one could say that their faith had
brought them no benefit whatsoever. But despite these things, they continued in
the Lord.
For since in the
wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was
well pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who
believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21 NAS).
Why have the
people of the church of Cascarí continued faithful to God, despite all of the
ridicule that they endured? Listening to
the weekly testimonies from the people of the church, I would have to say that
the heart of the matter is embodied in this same passage in First Corinthians
…Just as it is
written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have
not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love
Him.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches
all things, even the depths of God…Now we have received not the spirit of the
world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely
given to us by God (1 Corinthians 2:9-12 NAS).
In many ways,
the Christians of Cascarí had despaired in gaining anything of substance from
this life. I really think that they did
not expect their lot to improve significantly – financially or otherwise. They worked when they could find it. And they
hoped. But they had lived within the financial limits of their situation long
enough that they also knew that they had to be realistic.
Nevertheless,
despite the weekly prayer requests for work and for family and health, there was
an underlying contentment and peace about the people there. There was a confidence that God would
adequately provide in this life.
However, the
hope of a life completely free from want and trouble would be reserved for
another day. This is the type of hope
demonstrated by the Old Testament saints – a hope that is linked with
confidence. Like Abraham and Sarah of old,
the people of the church in Cascarí were waiting to see what God has prepared
for them in the heavenly kingdom.
THOSE OF WHOM THE WORLD IS NOT
WORTHY
Is this
foolishness and defeatism? I think that
rather it is wisdom. In the eyes of this
age, the difference between a successful life and an unsuccessful life is a few
thousand dollars – a somewhat foolish measure when you think about it. From the view of the age to come, the
difference between a successful life and an unsuccessful life is the object of our faith.
The object of
the faith of the people in the little church high in the mountains was this: “A
demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that…faith should not rest on the
wisdom of men, but on the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NAS).
I could tell that
the Christians of Cascarí, because of their life of struggle and little
education, in some ways felt a little inferior to the rest of the world. But I
should not be surprised to see them one day being recognized for their great
wisdom.
They have come to
expect little from this life. They were too occupied thinking about what the
Lord has prepared for them in the next.
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