If we are being honest, as Americans, we live in a country where everyone takes a side. Even if you are thinking that you are not someone who likes to take a side, you still take a side on almost everything. We do it for fun, like when we are rooting for our favorite sports team, we do it when choosing between Pepsi or Coke, we do it when we are focused on something more serious like voting, and the list goes on and on. You and I even do it when we scroll social media and decide that something someone is doing, something they are wearing, or something they are saying is not something we would do, wear, or say…and we instantly choose an opposing side to that person. So, does any of this matter? Does God have a side? And if so, what does His Word say we are to do?
In today’s passage, Paul reminds us that there are simply two sides. One side consists of a group that thinks that the cross is foolish, and the other side believes that the Word of the cross is the very power of God. Since God was, is, and has been aware of everything, as Pastor Mary preached about yesterday, His purpose of the cross was to destroy human wisdom, and to leave worldly philosophers, scholars, and debates scratching their heads. Those too proud to seek God’s salvation would (and will) not be able to discern His divine wisdom. However, those who humble their hearts would (and will) spiritually see the contrast of humanity’s flawed wisdom in comparison to God’s divine wisdom. Paul reveals how the Jews and Gentiles were hung up on things that did not matter. Which is no different from what we do today, we look for a side that sounds good. Rather than seeking the Truth, we can get caught up on external things, situations, appearances, people, etc., and in this place, the cross sounds foolish. But, for those who cling to the cross, who want to grow in relationship with Jesus, who remember what life was like without Him and never want to go back, we look at Jesus and what He did on that cross, and we long for that strength and divine wisdom operating in and through our daily lives.
Yesterday, Pastor Mary said that “fear torments the mind, but Truth torments fear”, let us hold firm to that Truth today and remember that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. Having reverence, respect, and awe for almighty God, is having fear of the Lord and within that place, we remain in awe of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, and that is our first step in having true wisdom.
Today, we cannot allow pride or fear to move within our hearts; it will weaken and eventually destroy our relationship with Jesus. We must humbly remember how Jesus saved us within our past, give Him praise for what He is doing within our presence, and be joyful that by His powerful wisdom we are His Church for all eternity.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (NLT)
The Wisdom of God
18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.
24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
Prayer: Jesus, we chose You through salvation and we cannot thank You enough for all that you have, are, and will continue to do for each one of us, Your brothers and sisters. May we hold firm to Your hand as we walk each day and never forget what You did for us on the cross. Holy Spirit, please continue to impart Your holy and divine wisdom into each one of us and guide us on the path that You have for our lives. Please remove pride from each of our hearts and replace it with a spirit of humility. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.