The Foolishness of the Cross Collides with the Wisdom of the World
“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” I Corinthians 1:21
God never does things the way the world does things! As a matter of fact, God tells us that to be in love with the world is to be against Him; to be opponents of the cross of Christ (See I John 2:15-17 and Ephesians 2:11-16). And Paul tells us in today’s verse that no one (Jew or Gentile), can ever come to know God through a personal relationship with His Son via the world’s wisdom. As a matter of truth, and quite surprising to the world system, Paul tells us that God is pleased by the preaching of the message of the cross, which is both foolishness to the world system while at the same time enriched with His power to save those who are lost!
Wow! That means, that God uses those who would commonly be viewed as foolish, weak, and of no consequence to bring His message of salvation. Paul himself told the Corinthian Christians that he was not an eloquent speaker or a good debater, but what He did know is that God had called Him to preach the Good News of the message of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world!
How about you? Who has God sent your way to speak His message of love, forgiveness, and healing to your heart and life? “…but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called (Christians), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” I Corinthians 1:23-24. Are you seeking to follow and obey Him even when the world considers you foolish to do so, or are you seeking man’s wisdom rather than that of God?
Pastor Louie