God's Glory

With all that Dave and I are going through, we have really been immersing ourselves in the word. Obviously because of this we are really being blessed and I wanted to share with you something that we read.

1Cr 1:18 - 31: 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. For it is written: ["I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,] [And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."] [fn] 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? 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. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks [fn] foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called.] 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; 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, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, ["He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."] [fn]

These verses are great reminders of Gods Sovereignty! In the previous verses (1:10-17), Paul chides them for the divisions that were occurring. People were starting to divide the church based on who was taught or really brought to salvation, by which teacher (Paul, Apollos, Cephas or Christ). Because of that fact, the following verses are Paul trying to explain to them how foolish man is compared to God.

There was a widespread misunderstanding of the Gospel message during this time. Paul was trying to show them it's not mans wisdom or cleverness that brought them to Christ, but rather it's holding/keeping them "back". You see in verse 23 it says: "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness", the Jews and the Greeks could not (or really cannot) understand because the things of God are spiritually appraised or examined (2:14). Meaning that God is the only one who can grant wisdom. God is the only one who can "save someone".

Also, during this time Greek philosophy was "running rampant". Men were just basically full of themselves, believing they knew everything - even the bible. Which translates to the people were trying to make the bible their own, by using their "earthly wisdom" to put the bible into their own words. Because of this, there was sin growing in the church. People are prideful; they tend to look up to those who are the strongest or wisest. Paul was telling them: The wise men are foolish and those who look to the wisdom of wise men are foolish as well.

Therefore God uses the complete opposite (weak or foolish) to bring all Glory to His name which therefore would break the pride of the prideful. If He did use those who are proud (or strong or whatever) He would not get the glory. Jer 9:23-24 "Thus says the Lord, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving-kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in those things' declares the Lord."

Everything is done to glorify God...EVERYTHING! No matter what you are going through, God is faithful. I know that I needed to desperately hear that. I know I need to hear about God's grace and faithfulness. God is mighty and powerful. I pray that this has blessed you as it has me