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 person? Where is the teacher of the law? 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 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 human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.26 Brothers and sisters, 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 God 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 the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthian 1:18-31
Wise or Fool
1. The cross may sound noble to us, the 21st-century people, because we are so distant from the actual cross It was actually one of the cruelest punishments ever invented by man. To the 1st century people, it would sound like “the message of an electric chair (or something worse) speak the wisdom of God”. You get the idea. They might be thinking how could God use such a disgusting execution tool to accomplish the greatest salvation? But that’s exactly God’s wisdom!
2. Unconsciously, we often think we got a better idea than God.
“God you should have….” “God, I want to…..” “God, why don’t you……”
We are so wise in our way of thinking or in our profession. Please don’t forget, that God’s foolishness is wiser than us! Only if we know what God knows, we would know why God does what He does. In the time being, Let’s acknowledge God is wiser than us and have faith to trust Him!
3. Please allow me to say Jesus was the “fool” who relentlessly loves us to the worst death. Who would be so foolish to die for those who betray him , disobey, him, rejected him, ignore him,….? Yes, Jesus did. His “crazy love” moved us to believe him and give our life to him because that’s the only response God deserves.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for being our righteous, holiness, and redemption. This is knowledge and a life far beyond anything I could imagine. I trust you and humble before you because you are the all-knowing and all-loving God! Amen
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 