Have you ever genuinely thought about and contemplated the meaning of the following Bible verses?
1Cr 1:27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
1Cr 1:28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
The current political climate in the United States of America demonstrates the truth of those verses. Anyone who has been paying close attention sees this. Tomorrow, I will post about commentary that has appeared on news channels and in a major weekly magazine that will show you just how "foolish things of the world [do] put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty."
For now, let's look at the Bible verses surrounding the above two:
1Cr 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
1Cr 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1Cr 1:19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." [fn]
1Cr 1:20 Where [is] the wise? Where [is] the scribe? Where [is] the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Cr 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1Cr 1:22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
1Cr 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks [fn] foolishness,
1Cr 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Cr 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1Cr 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called].
1Cr 1:27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
1Cr 1:28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
1Cr 1:29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
1Cr 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--
1Cr 1:31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." [fn]
[NKJV]
1 Cr 1:17 analysis:
I have seen many examples of people trying to make "the cross of Christ should be made of no effect" literally come true. Even those who would label themselves "Christians." The liberal leftist churches are most guilty of this. There is a huge reason why they do this. It is because they want to ignore the need for repentance.
The cross of Christ is shameful to "those who are perishing." Why? Because Jesus' finished work at the cross of Calvary points to their need to confess sin and turn their lives over to Christ. They want to remain in the center of their existence, instead of putting Christ there.
The question is, however, how do we get them to turn around when they think that they are not in error? Please share your suggestions and experiences in the comment section.
Then we have those who have not been brought up in the church at all. Their parents are either agnostic, atheist, or just skeptics. Maybe the child of such parents had dabbled in other religions - like say - Buddhism. Maybe they think that all religions lead to the same place. But the Bible tells us this is impossible for Christ himself stated,
"I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me."
In this "tolerance at all costs" atmosphere (including rejecting genuine concern about where one will spend eternity); and our current multi-cultural, diversity-driven, religious coexist-demanding society, Jesus' words might be considered "intolerant." But is that the real problem? I don't think so and the Bible tells us why.
1Cr 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1Cr 1:22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
1Cr 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks [fn] foolishness,
1Cr 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Examine this verse:
1Cr 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Those who reject Christ's sacrificial death on the cross for their sin are perishing. They think it is foolishness. But look at how that verse completely changes the concept of "the message of the cross [as] 'foolishness'" to be the power of God to us who are being saved!
Now, man has his/her own version of "wisdom." However, when it is not of God, for God, and about God - such "wisdom" is confounded!
1Cr 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
In the prior verse, Paul asks:
1Cr 1:20 Where [is] the wise? Where [is] the scribe? Where [is] the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
When man relies on his own version of wisdom [e.g. "the wisdom of this world"] we see that God has called it out and turned it around as foolishness. So, just what is considered the most foolish kind of man's "wisdom"?
1Cr 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
Answer: Not knowing God.
Then, look at this verse:
1Cr 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
How many people have tried to make Christ's sacrificial death at the cross a type of "foolishness" and have tried to either combat against such belief or trick people into believing something else as the truth? Probably millions.
What does it mean that "the weakness of God is stronger than men?"
I think that it means that those who perceive Christ's death at the cross as "weakness" or "foolishness" is ultimately and emphatically stronger than the wisdom of those who think that way.
Paul says it this way:
1Cr 1:22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
1Cr 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks [fn] foolishness,
1Cr 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
What in the world could possibly be better than KNOWING "the power of God and the wisdom of God?"
That particular knowledge is Jesus Christ!
Paul instructs us:
1Cr 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called].
As Christians, what are we called to do? Preach the gospel, of course. What else? Jesus told us to wait for his return, watch for his return, and WORK as we wait for his return. Each of us have unique skills and spiritual gifts that enable us to work in many different ways to point people towards Jesus Christ. Christ does the saving - we are here to spread the message of the gospel "to those who are perishing."
Each situation may be different and we need to be wise in how to handle it.
For example.
I often give people the book "Traveling Light" by Max Lucado. It helps to ease them into wanting to know more about Jesus Christ. I have also given Bibles along with the book to those who I know probably don't have one.
I recently gave that book to one of my daughter's friends who, in her young life, has been going through a rough time over the past several years. She wrote the following to my daughter:
"Your mom gave me this book, and I think her just simply reaching out to me has changed my life. Tell her I said thanks. And I love you both!"
I sent a text back to my daughter: Wow! Really? It changed her life? I'm crying - tears of joy. Praise God - He did that!
And He did!! He opened the door of her heart to receive the "wisdom of God" instead of the wisdom of men which had not been helping her figure out the truth and the meaning of this life. I can't wait to see her again and talk with her about the book!
So far, I haven't had anyone tell me that they didn't like that book. Of course, I haven't given it to any "stranger" who might have objected and called my gesture "proselytizing" - which is that negative word that skeptics like to use against Christians for simply sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with people.
We can't let their negativity, objections, and threats stop us from sharing the TRUTH!
There are MILLIONS of people who don't know Christ and just need someone to reach out to them so that they CAN get to know Him!
We are called to point people towards salvation in Jesus Christ.
God does the saving!
We can pray for the unsaved, invite them to church, talk with them, listen to them and participate in Bible study with them. Why should we do all of these things? Because they are "those who are perishing." The acceptance of the gospel message is between them and God. We do the sharing - He does the saving. Ultimately, all the glory belongs to the Lord!
Paul:
1Cr 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--
1Cr 1:31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." [fn]
NKJV Footnotes:
(1:19) Isaiah 29:14
(1:23) NU-Text reads Gentiles.
(1:31) Jeremiah 9:24
The following is the devotional that inspired me to write this post:
Daily Light on the Daily Path Devotional
Sunday September 20, 2009
http://bible.christiansunite.com/devotionals.shtml
Morning
Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.
Whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, . . . the rich [man] glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD.--The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom.
What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ.--In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.--Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength.
Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
He that winneth souls [is] wise.
Pr 3:13 8:35 Jer 9:23,24 Pr 9:10 Php 3:7,8 Col 2:3 Pr 8:14 1Co 1:30 Pr 11:30
Evening
Poor, yet making many rich.
Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.--Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.--My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.--God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work.
Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?--Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2Co 6:10 8:9 Joh 1:16 Php 4:19 2Co 9:8 Jas 2:5 1Co 1:26,27 2Co 4:7