GOD'S WISDOM VS. THE WORLD'S WISDOM
1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-25
1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-25 NKJ
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,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
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? 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. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
OBSERVATION:
There is such an effort for mankind to appear smart and cool and so on top of things.
Years ago, I knew a youth pastor whose mantra was, "it's cool to be a Christian." I understood what he was trying to do, but the basic premise is flawed.
To the world, without God, we are not going to appear cool, strong, or smart. So why are we even trying?
I get amused at believers today who want to sound so smart and heady about their Christianity. Might as well stop with those efforts. Buy into the fact that the message of the cross is foolish to those on the outside. Those people who have not received Christ.
We do not come to God based on wisdom but rather because we believe. We believe a message that appears foolish to the world. But to those of us who believe this "foolish" message is brilliant. God's "foolishness" is so much wiser than man's wisdom.
And aren't we all glad that God made our salvation dependent on our simply believing. Not on our IQ or ability to grasp deeply complex problems. Thank You, Lord!
It's not hard to detect the world's scorn today. One group says prove to me that God is real, and this message is true. They want a sign.
Another group says that our message of Jesus paying the price for our sins does not make sense. They want wisdom.
But we proclaim Jesus Christ crucified. And to those of us who believe this message is the power, reality, and wisdom of God.
APPLICATION:
To those who say prove to me God is real, don't even try. To those who think our message is foolish, don't waste time arguing. Just love them. Plant good seeds. And be grateful that you were smart enough to believe the message.
This message may appear foolish and weak to those who don't believe. But to us, this is a strong, powerful truth that is changing and preserving our lives. This godly wisdom is profitable in this life and the life to come.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Father, for the simple message of Christ crucified. It has changed me for the better, and it will still be brilliant and viable in the ages to come.