God's Wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:17–31

God’s Wisdom

   In the first chapter of 1 Corinthians 1:17-31 Paul speaks of the wisdom of God. This wisdom, being from God, is not common to man. As a matter of fact, Paul refers to this wisdom as being foolishness to men. Paul said that he preached the gospel the way God had directed him by His Holy Spirit and without man's advice or direction. The point, I believe, he wants to make clear in this passage is seen in v. 29 where he states, "That no flesh should glory in his presence." Paul lived and wanted to preach according to God's commands and His principles. Therefore, even though, it was true, the wisdom that was inlaid in the words which he spoke from the mouth of God was not a worldly understanding, it was even more so true, Paul points out, that the gospel is the wisdom of God. He states in this passage that the wisdom which comes from God, spoken in the words of the gospel which he preached, was seen every day in a paradoxical manner. Paul emphasized, I believe, this point at the end of this passage to give more weight to his statement in v. 31, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." It's almost as if you can read Paul's reasoning in this passage. If there is one true God, which there is, then He is to be trusted; if He is to be trusted, then His wisdom which He displays is to be viewed as perfect wisdom; and if His wisdom is to be viewed as perfect wisdom, then those who are used to proclaim His name will be those who will glory in and exalt the Lord Jesus the Christ. Often times this will be those other than kings and princes and others who "have everything at their fingertips." In the words of Jeremiah 9:23-24, "Thus saith the Lord, let not the mighty man glory in his might, neither let the wise man glory in his wisdom; let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understands and knows me for I am the Lord that exerciseth loving kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight saith the Lord."

   Paul speaks about the wisdom of God as being foolishness to the world, wiser than man's wisdom and foolishness that confounds the world. He starts out in v. 17 talking about how the wisdom of God and the spreading of the gospel through preaching is seen as foolishness or insignificant to the world around. If you remember the words of Jesus and how he said that no man can understand the gospel unless he had the faith of a child, then understanding what Paul meant in v. 18 is not hard. God has given you and I the ability, by His Holy Spirit, not only to understand but to have the faith to lead us to Him. Knowing that there is no merit within myself, no ability to persuade the God of heaven, no righteousness on my own account that could lead me into His presence, I can do nothing but lift up my hands and rejoice because He has chosen me. Paul is pointing out in this passage that the foolishness with which this world views the wisdom of God is as foolishness which, by the Holy Spirit, captures the heart and mind of individuals all over the world and leads them to an everlasting relationship with the Father forever. The first part of this passage impacts me in such a way that for me to realize that I had been led to understand this foolishness, as Paul so presents it, to say the least, makes me feel privileged.

   But the impact of this passage is not just one that allows me to see, again, that I have been given a gift far more glorious than rubies and gold but that I have been chosen by the Creator of this gift. No matter what I do. No matter what I say. No matter what I think. This gift has been given to me by the choice decision of God Himself. I do not have to work for it. As a matter of fact, according to Romans 4:5, this gift of salvation is given on the basis of faith and not works at all. Paul comes, in this first letter to the Corinthians 1:21, to show the church members that despite the world's view and interpretation of God's wisdom, the Lord would still save some by the preaching of His gospel. Two drawbacks seem to be present in the world’s refusal of the wisdom of the gospel of the Lord Jesus the Christ. One, is that it requires us to reject the world, it's entertainment and other pleasures. When I thought about this part of the passage it opened up a whole new meaning of what Paul meant when he said, "I die daily." The Lord requires that after putting your hand to the plow, to be his disciple and an heir of the Kingdom, one cannot look back. He cannot desire the things that once made him happy. Even though the world has rejected this simple salvation message, the Lord, again, has chosen me out of the world to be part of what the future will hold. I am able to look forward to a new world set up by the King of eternity. Because of this "foolishness" which pierced my heart long ago I would have fellowship of a nature so sweet forever.

   The part of this passage that has always struck me in a personal sense is that part which Paul writes in vv. 26-28. He pointed out that this message of wisdom has not been given to those who already see themselves as righteous or who already think that they have everything they need. This message of the Gospel has been given to those who are otherwise inferior in the eyes of the world. Those who seem to know less, be able to do less or just seem to be less than what the world views as a significant personality are the ones that God desires to use to display His power. Paul says in v. 26 how God desires to use the ones who are not mighty, the ones who are not wise the ones who are not noble. The reason why this part of the passage has always impacted me strongly is because of what I've seen Him do, and not just in my life and the lives of others who had to struggle in ways far worse than me. God has used those of us who struggle mightily to reach hundreds, even thousands. One of them is a quadriplegic and has served for the past 15 years as an assistant pastor. Another is a paraplegic and has been since '97 and preaches in churches about the saving power of God and what he has in store for those who believe. To know that Christ would not only reach down to save my soul but would use this vessel, as raggedy, crooked and incomplete as I am fills me with a sense of thanksgiving and praise.

   This passage, especially vv. 26-28, causes me to think of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9 when this young man had been chosen by the King of Israel, David, to receive everything that his father once had. This young man went from a state of poverty to the status of wealthy in no time at all, simply because of the king's desire to show compassion. There was nothing that Mephibosheth had done or could do to obtain that which was given him. That is a clear picture to me of what Christ did for me on the cross 2,000 years ago. A wretch I was, lost in myself and the Lord decided to make Himself known unto me and sacrificed His own Son in my place. I'd been given everything and had done nothing to deserve it. This passage also causes me to think about Paul, the apostle, in 2 Corinthians 12. Paul, for whatever reason, did not want to deal with his "thorn in the flesh" and had beseeched God to remove it three times. And I can see those famous words spoken by Jesus fitting in this passage so well, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." It's that weakness that Paul refers to in these few verses. Whether physical, mental or spiritual, this passage has impacted me not because so much it has shown me that God still desires to use someone such as myself but rather that it has shown me that God's power has never nor will it ever succumb to man's wisdom but that it will always be perfect and mighty.

Radical Follower

   A picture of the radical believer who wishes to follow Jesus is clearly seen in the lives and practices of those known as the Anabaptists. Two major concerns seem to stick out when reading about the Anabaptists in The Jesus Paradigm, association and missions. According to both of these themes a radical believer should be one who is identified only with Christ and His concerns while rejecting any typical church performances or ideas that have no spiritual meaning.

   In regards to association the radical believer should not be individualistic in his approach to ministry. He should be associated with Christ in a way that associates him with the congregation with which he worships. Humility is key to this way of life. Many so often decide to take a position in the church and treat it as though it is special just to them. Therefore, they tend to be intimidating in ways or even high-minded because they think their gifts or talents are devised just for this position, acting as though they're the only ones that can fulfill it. Humility in a radical believer who loves Jesus will lead him to work with the congregation with which he serves the Lord. Whether he or she is an expert in one area of church administration or whether an individual has the title of Dr. or whether he is the senior pastor of the local congregation his concern is to be willing to serve even in a position that is less than his present position. A radical believer is one who is willing to put the unnecessary practices and performances and ideas of the present church today behind him and practice what was done so often in the church during the first century. One is willing to serve with his brother and sister to make the name of Christ known to those around him. Whereas, today, many who serve in the church, do so with the attitude of, "I have this," or "I know all about this area." This believer, following Christ, should display humility in a way that associates him with the congregation as he serves with the congregation. Too many nowadays take their positions and their titles and are offended if you don't address them in such a way to acknowledge that issue. That is not what the New Testament taught in the first century and it is not what the Scriptures teach today.

   Humility should also lead the individual radical believer in the life of sacrifice as well. Giving up that which he truly does not need is something that a person like who's been described should desire to do every day. He should be willing to give up his parking spot or hold on an extra 30 seconds just to help someone through the door way. Today the attitude of sacrifice is more along the lines of, "what can I do that will make Jesus happy as well as myself." Or an even more direct line of thinking might be, "what can I give up now that I will be able to get back later." Sacrifice of the radical believer, should, in all actuality, have very little to do with his own concerns. His mind should be so focused on Christ that he already realizes what he needs and does not need and from that his decision to give up something takes very little thought. In other words, sacrifice for this type of believer should be something that comes to him naturally, it should be a joy for him at all times putting a smile on his face and it is something that he should never think twice about with regret.

   Another concern of the radical believer should be in regards to missions. Missions involves much of what has just been spoken on. The radical believer is someone who is concerned with the spread of the gospel and is ready to go anytime whether it is across the street, across the country or across the world. His desire is to see souls saved for the glory of God and if he cannot go himself he is humble enough and mature enough in his faith that he understands that prayer is the best way for him to offer his service. Many today think that prayer is just sitting around with nothing to do but saying a few words then stopping. But as Paul more than once implied to the congregations to which he wrote, prayer is hard work and is for those who are willing to give up time and effort to pray for those in intercession who are in need. This warrior looks at prayer, as a radical  believer, as more necessary in some ways than a physical traveling. But not only is he humble in the sense of being able or unable to do something, he's willing to sacrifice anything, and along some lines, everything, that he might get the chance to tell someone of the glory and salvation of Jesus the Christ.

   In a few words, how do I measure up? I am the perfect example of the radical believer if you stop with intention. However, add in resisting the devil, submitting to God when I desire not to do something He wishes for me to do, as well as other areas of submission and responsibility, I would have to say I have a long way to go. As a child of God I am being sanctified day by day only to realize the full truth as is stated in I John 3:2, "... but this I know, that when I shall see Him I shall be like Him, for I shall see Him as He is."

Insights gathered from The Jesus Paradigm by Dr. David Alan Black

Suffering for God's glory

1 Peter 3:13-4:19

Summarizing Suffering

      Summarizing what Peter says in 1 Peter 3:13-4:19 can be summed up in what he says, I believe, in the last verse, 4:19, our lives should be committed to our Savior, Jesus the Christ, during our suffering here on this earth. And committing our lives to Jesus the Christ our Savior during our times of suffering here, Paul gives a few teachings that can be identified in this chapter and a half. The first of which is that we should be willing to live our lives according to God's will before others that they may glorify God even though they persecute us. In vv. 14-16 we see how Peter instructs the believers to be ready to give an answer to those who ask them why they trust in God based upon the fact that they are living for the Savior. As a result, this life should be reflected by a clear conscience and a happy, content spirit because of the way one is living.

      A second teaching that Peter writes in his letter in regards to suffering is that of doing it for the right reason. He instructs believers in v. 17 to suffer for well-doing which he reiterates in 4:14-15. The intention, again, I believe, is to point out the fact that when they are reproached for the name of Christ they're not only doing it for the right cause but, he also wishes to encourage them, that this should be a reason for them to count themselves as happy or content.

      In 4:1-5 Peter writes to the believers telling them that they should arm themselves with the mind of Christ which Paul talks about in Philippians 2. He points out how Christ suffered for us in the flesh to relate to them about their new life in Christ. He tells them that now that they are serving Christ, they are not living a life of sin as they once had in their past life. In relating his teaching of how believers should live according to the will of God Peter comments in these verses of how unbelievers think it strange that they don't walk with them as they once did. In arming themselves he exhorts them to be prepared at all times. Like Paul, in Ephesians 6:10–18, Peter also wished for his readers that they would arm themselves daily by the Spirit’s power so that they would be prepared for the struggles they would face. Peter tells them to be sober and watch unto prayer. Or rather, be diligent in seeking Christ, being sure to live for Him on a daily basis in everything they do and say. And yet, "watch unto prayer" is also given, I believe, to exhort them to seek the wisdom of God as they serve Him on this earth. As James tells us in v. 5 but if we ask for wisdom God is faithful to give us exactly that.

      In 4:8-11 Peter exhorts the believers to minister to one another, as believers in Christ, by the gifts which God had given them and to do it with the spirit of love. There was obviously some spirit, even at that time, to be competitive or jealous in the way one served or even desired to serve. Therefore, Peter tells them to do it without grudging. This is mentioned, I believe, to show them that serving Christ should be done willingly and appreciatively because of the abilities one had received from Him. But whether verbal or physical ministry Peter points out to these believers as Paul does in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that everything they do or say should be done to glorify the Lord their God.

      One last instruction that Peter gives in summarizing these verses is that of considering trials as a norm. He doesn't want them to think that they are being persecuted by God or wrongly treated by their Savior because of the hard times with which they are dealing. As we see in the book of Acts it is a mark of the faithful to suffer for Christ our Lord and that is what Peter wished to relate to them in this instruction of not considering it strange when enduring trials. In the spirit we see of King David, Peter desired that his audience would long to, “Sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully” with them, Ps. 13:6.

            In my own life, as of now, I can honestly say that God is using suffering in my life for a purpose. I do not look at the suffering as being a form of condemnation but rather a blessing that I might be able to live in a manner for God to show others of His love and strength. Physically, I endure a form of paralysis/weakness which affects most of my body in one way or another. But I believe these hardships are not to be seen as negative in any light but rather as an opportunity. And that is what I believe Peter was trying to express to these believers. To live before others in a way that your conduct reveals the love, strength, wisdom and sovereignty of God was what, I believe, was the intended purpose of Peter in writing. Suffering, whether spiritually or physically should be seen as an opportunity, an opportunity to glorify the Lord Jesus the Christ in a way that no one else can because they have not been given the chance that you have received from the Lord. To look at suffering as a hardship, I will not even begin to suggest that I see it is otherwise. But, yet, to look at suffering, for the cause of Christ, and see it as anything other than a blessing from God, I believe, is to belittle the awesome power of our Savior in our own minds.