"Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
-1 Corinthians 1:20-25
As I gear up to re-enter campus (no longer as a student, but now as ministry staff), I am well aware that it is not only my heart which needs prepping, but my mind as well. Walking by the gates to the university, I am reminded of the atmosphere within, one of fierce intellectualism and individual achievement, where excellence is assumed and perfection the daily goal of the majority. How easy it was, and will still be, to be sucked into this vortex of performance-based merit. How appealing to our human nature to be comfortably situated—to "belong"—among the best and brightest minds!
When I consider the tendency of my heart towards this mindset, I realize just how profound Paul's words, and the need for the urgency with which he writes them to the Corinthians: "Where is the one who is wise?...Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" he demands, reminding the Corinthians that "the world did not know God through wisdom." This makes me put on the brakes. As a Christian, our goal on earth is to love and serve God, seeking always to know Him better. How very wrong we have gone, when our own "wisdom" not only no longer points to the Creator, but in fact points in the opposite direction! What is the point of wisdom and knowledge, when we do not let it lead us to "the only wise God" (Romans 16:27)?
"Christ crucified," our very means of eternal salvation, is foolishness in the eyes of this world,"a stumbling block to Jews, and folly to Gentiles." But, Paul continues, "to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1:23-24) My prayer is that we would choose the wisdom of God over that of this world, even when we do so at the expense of our own reputation as "wise," which we value so dearly. May we seek true wisdom from the One who is truly wise!
"With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding." (Job 12:13)
"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?'" (Romans 11:33-34)
"Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due; for among all the wise ones of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you." (Jeremiah 10:7)
No comments:
Post a Comment