The Self-wise Inquirer.
Let us inquire what is the vain wisdom of the world, and then we shall the better see how it leads men astray.
I. Now, when it is said that to trust our own notions is a wrong thing and a vain wisdom, of course this is not meant of all our notions whatever; for we must trust our own notions in one shape or other, and some notions which we form are right and true. The notions which we may trust without blame are such as come to us by way of our conscience, for such come from God. Such are the opinions and feelings of which a man is not proud. What are those of which he is likely to be proud? Those which he obtains, not by nature, but by his own industry, ability, and research; those which he possesses, and others not. Every one is in danger of valuing himself for what he does, and hence truths (or fancied truths) which a man has obtained for himself after much thought and labour, such he is apt to make much of and rely upon, and this is the source of that vain wisdom of which the Apostle speaks in the text.
II. How shall a sinner, who has formed his character upon unbelief, trusting sight and reason rather than conscience and Scripture, how shall he begin to repent? What must he do? Is it possible he can overcome himself, and new make his heart in the end of his days? It ispossible not with man, but with God, who gives grace to all who ask for it; but only in one way, in the way of His commandments, by a slow, tedious, toilsome self-discipline; slow, tedious, and toilsome, that is, to one who has been long hardening himself in a dislike of it, and indulging himself in the rapid flights and easy victories of his reason. There is but one way to heaven, the narrow way; and he who sets about to seek God, even in old age, must enter it at the same door as others. He must retrace his way and begin again with the very beginning as if he were a boy. And so proceeding-labouring, watching, and praying he seems likely after all to make but little progress during the brief remnant of his life.
J. H. Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons,vol. i., p. 215.
References: 1 Corinthians 3:21. J. Pulsford, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xv., p. 312. 1 Corinthians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 3:22. Homilist,new series, vol. i., p. 422.