Spend
some time today meditating on 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 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. 19For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." 20Where 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? 21For 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. 22Jews demand signs
and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block
to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both
Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness
of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than
human strength. 26Brothers 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. 27But God chose the foolish things
of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame
the strong. 28God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised
things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, 29so that no
one may boast before him. 30It 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. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast
in the LORD."
What does this passage teach us about the wisdom of
the world?
Why did God choose to proclaim a gospel
message that the world would see as foolish and weak?
How do these truths influence the way that we
relate to people who deny that God exists?