Foolish Wisdom
(S) Scripture
1 Corinthians 1:17-31 (NIV)
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
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.
19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are,
29 so that no one may boast before him.
30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
(O) Observation
Wisdom was something important to the people of Corinth. But the wisdom they sought was made foolish by God. They wanted a faith that made sense to them but the power of the cross does not come from human wisdom. In fact, human wisdom empties the cross of its power. Even though it may not make sense to us the power of the cross is rooted in the message of Christ crucified. It is not in miracles or wisdom but in the preaching of Christ crucified.
(A) Application
I have read many "church growth" books and tried some of the programs. It seems that many are based on the best advertizing and marketing skills that can be offered. I was always suspicious of those that told me to identify a target group, I thought Jesus already that in the Great Commission. I wonder if we have not emptied the power of the cross by trying to make that message fit into our slick schemes. When I think of myself and when I was called I fit what Paul described, unwise, non-influential and not of noble birth (don't tell my mom) and yet God has chosen to use me. Why then would I turn to the wisdom of man to accomplish the things of God? This is not a call to be ignorant but it is a reminder of just Who we are to listen to and follow. Today I choose to follow the Lord and the Word God has given to us. Whatever wisdom I need will be found there. Today I must remember that power comes for the cross and not my wisdom.
(P) Prayer
Lord, I do not ever want to empty the cross of its power by substituting human wisdom for the gospel. Help me to get this right. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment