SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
OBSERVATION:
Paul is being honest when he admits that the Christian message sounds foolish to most people – a crucified God-in-flesh?
He argues that God’s “folly” is actually true wisdom, deeper wisdom, so deep that those who consider themselves wise can’t see or understand it.
If God were capable of a stupid thought, it would still be wiser than man’s wisest thought! (v.25)
God’s wisdom is seen in how He turns the tables on the wise and power-hungry, turning instead to the weak and insignificant to build His kingdom.
God is not like humans, favouring the rich and famous and strong; He chooses the ones that everyone else rejects.
APPLICATION:
This is humbling, but it is also encouraging. Its not because of WHO I am (or think I am) or WHAT I have accomplished but because of God’s amazing and humbling grace that I am saved – its because I am nothing in the world’s eyes that God picked me.
This passage helps explain why I often feel that the message I believe and bring sounds foolish, even to my own ears. Sometimes when people challenge what I believe, I feel diminished, silly. Now I know why, because the message DOES sound foolish – yet that is its genius!!!
Do I spend too much time trying to make the message sound reasonable and wise? Maybe I need to tell the foolish story more, and trust You to get a hearing for the message!
PRAYER:
Lord, I realize that what I feel – that the message sounds foolish even to me – is because it is contrary, contrary to what the “worldly wise” claim to be rational and logical. Help me to rejoice in its folly, for it is because of this folly that I am saved. The world would not pick and celebrate me, but You did… and do!!! Amen.
Paul describes the believers salvation through the death of the Son of God and by His death we live! This makes no sense(nonsense) to those who persue the world’s ways. God uses the weak, the insignificant to be His kingdom builders. This reminds me also all those to whom He proclaimed the Gospel -the outcasts – and His disciples – lowly men.
All people, great and small, need the grace given by God, and only those who have received this amazing grace from their Redeemer are God taught to proclaim His good news. He is the wisdom in us because we are filled by His power and love and Spirit which makes us fit for service to which we are called. Thank You Lord for Your redeeming love.