1 Corinthians 1:18-31

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. ¹⁹ For it is written:

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

In my walk with the Lord, I have had my days when I really think about the gospel.  Virgin birth, perfect life, had all the power in the universe and allowed his creation to put him to death and then rose on the third day.  

• On a human level birth takes egg and sperm, if you're missing either one, you don't get a baby. 
• No one can be perfect in everything they do, especially thought life.  
• I know if I have the power to stop someone from hurting me, I'm going to stop it.  
• Dead is dead.  People don't come back. 

I accept that Jesus did these things on faith, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  Thank you God for choosing me.  I could be on my way to hell, thinking those Christians are nuts.

²⁰ Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For 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. ²² Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

The Jews were under Roman occupation.  They thought the Messiah was going to be a Military leader and set them free.  When Jesus was crucified, they dismissed Him and clung to their view of the Messiah.

²⁶ Brothers, 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. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It 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. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

I so needed these verses.  I keep screwing up and use those screw ups as reason to not serve God.  God chose me because I am a screw up.  He wanted the opportunity to show the world what he could do with a guy like me.  I know how bad I am, but I know how much worse I was before I began this journey of sanctification.  I've by no means arrived, but I will move forward with Him.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.