An Illuminating Word

An Illuminating Word

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

1 Corinthians 1:19 (NIV)

V      When we are faced with the cross, do we still look at it merely through human eyes or do we consider the spiritual power of it?

18 I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

V      The cross is the best example of God taking what humans have polluted and showing His power over it by redeeming it for His purpose.

20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish and has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense.

1 Corinthians 1:20

V      The wisdom of man says that power comes through dominion and might.  God shows that eternal dominion comes through sacrifice and love.

23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

1 Corinthians 1:23

V      Throughout the ages, God’s wisdom has been made known to man, but continually man thinks he knows better than the creator because he only looks at the here and now.

19 “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 “What!” they exclaimed. “It took forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can do it in three days?”

John 2:19-20

V      We serve a God who is above all our plans and wiser than all our knowledge and yet has chosen to make a way for us, in love.

25 This “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength.

1 Corinthians 1:25

The challenge for each of us this Lenten season is to consider where it is our faith truly lies.  This is something we each must take stock of individually and corporately.  I need to ask God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to help me see my true self, as painful as that may be.  And in this, God can begin the process of healing and transformation.

At the same time, I need my brother and sisters in Christ to help me look at myself as well.  To be accountable.  To be honest.  To give clear and helpful feed back.  We need each other to grow!