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Many years ago I used to hear my father talk about memory gems. Being only four or five years of age and being named Jim did not help me to comprehend what he was saying. To me gem sounded an awful lot like Jim! Since that time, however, I have learned a bit about memory gems. Today’s message involves a classic memory gem from the Bible.

“O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” (Jeremiah 10.23). I ask you to pay special attention to the phrase, “It is not in man…” These words were written by Jeremiah, one of God’s faithful Old Testament servants and prophets. They speak truth that is as relevant today as it was two and a half millennia ago when it was first penned. In fact, two of today’s competing world views revolve around this classic statement. One world view holds that man is able to lift himself up through science and other educational channels and achieve our highest potential. The other world view holds that man cannot discover nor discern anything from the natural universe which will make him one whit better from a spiritual standpoint.

The first view mentioned is classic secular humanism. Contrary to Jeremiah’s words, this view holds that we are capable of achieving our highest good without any information that is outside the ability of science to discover and apply. God, from this viewpoint, is typically seen as an imagined being without a real existence outside the minds of some deluded human beings. Knowledge, according to this philosophy, should replace this ignorance and pave the way for greater discoveries and the ultimate elevation of humanity to its highest possible peaks of achievement. Secular humanism says, “It is in man…”

The second worldview holds that man is incapable of discovering eternal truths without direction from Creator God. It not only subscribes to a belief in God, it maintains that the expression of His will and the execution of that will within the pale of human experience is essential if mankind has any hope of achieving his highest good. Jeremiah boldly and unequivocally proclaimed that we (mankind) do not and cannot obtain such knowledge from within ourselves. Jeremiah says, “It is not in man…”

Now fast forward from Jeremiah’s time to another time a few centuries later. Jesus is in the beginning of His earthly ministry. John writes: “Now when He [Jesus] was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.” (John 2.23-25).

Herein is an extremely germane affirmation. Man sometimes thinks he knows what is inside of himself. Sometimes he overestimates; sometimes he underestimates; sometimes he just doesn’t think at all! The inspired apostle John said that Jesus knew all men and He knew what was in man. Jesus’ mission, at least much of it, was to attempt to cause man to see what was inside his heart and soul. Further, Jesus wanted men to see that the only remedy for the deficiencies that reside there is the Divine remedy that He offered. What was and is in man cannot obtain for man that which man needs!

There is a good and adequate reason why Jesus knew (and knows – present tense) what is in man. That reason is simply this; “For by Him [Jesus] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1.16). “It is not in man…!”

Questions:

1. Who made man? Or, did man make himself? If someone or something made man, does it stand to reason that that thing or person would have superior knowledge about man?

2. If man made himself, or if there was no intelligence behind his making, what difference would that make in how we see ourselves and the universe about us?

3. What role did Jesus have in our creation according to Colossians 1.16?

4. Does Jesus know all men and what is in man? Why or why not?

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

Milque-Toast Prayers