Is There No Room for Strength?

1 Corinthians 1:20-31

Perhaps Paul really was speaking to a very specific time and a very specific place when he wrote today’s passage from 1 Corinthians. Maybe we are not supposed to carry its meaning forward into our own era. But I have to wonder. “…God chose what is foolish in the world,” says Paul, “to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

So often the church has sought to act out of strength, to preserve its status, to promote its agenda. Politically, socially, economically organized religion has claimed a lofty status in our culture. And when we see that status slipping away we fret and worry and decry attacks by the Godless on our way of life. Where would Paul stand in such circumstances? Would Paul applaud our determination to exert power, or would Paul say that we are dangerously close to boasting in the presence of God?

The evidence is anecdotal, but it seems to me that the message of the gospel is far more meaningful for the powerless, those who suffer or who are oppressed, than it is for those who are successful in worldly terms. Should this not worry those like me who live in comfort and relative security? Are we not called to trust God more and our own power and authority less? It’s a very tough question and one that I wrestle with often.

Prayer: Lord, help your people to boast only in you and not in themselves, that your wisdom may prevail in our world and more importantly in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What a Fool Believes

1 Corinthians 3:10-23
“If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). This is a familiar concept, this issue of foolishness versus wisdom. What we as Christians are called to do often seems downright stupid to the world. Where the world seeks wealth and power, Christians are taught to give up what we have and to follow Jesus’ example of weakness. Where the world believes bigger is always better, Jesus teaches that the least and the smallest are sometimes the best examples of grace. When the world seeks revenge in the guise of justice or accepts the death of others in the pursuit of a “greater good” Jesus calls us to take up our crosses and follow him, to share in his passion and to turn the other cheek. What was God thinking?

It’s like the song says, “What a fool believes he sees, the wise man has the power to reason away…” And yet, sometimes reason is the very worst response we can offer, especially to God. Sometimes God calls for a foolishness, or even a giddy sense of joy, when circumstances would seem to merit another response all together. But that’s life in the coming kingdom. God is not interested in what we think is prudent or smart because God is not trying to win a prize, God is working to claim hearts and minds and to use them to reach out to others.

So what do we do? We quit worrying about what the world thinks of us and go right on seeking God’s will, God’s way, God’s wisdom which defies the world. And if anyone laughs, we invite them to join in. And if anyone cries, we offer them hope. And if anyone doubts we offer our faith. “For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God.” And vice versa.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to set our priorities on you and not on what the world holds to be true, and when we appear foolish give us the strength to continue on your path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.