1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV) 26Brothers and sisters, 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. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It 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. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Foolishness. What does it mean? Most definitions lead to the idea of something trifling, insignificant, of very little importance, or of no consequence. According to the world, it is foolishness to waste a perfectly good Sunday morning going to church when you could be enjoying a game of golf, fishing, soccer, or any multitude of activities. According to the world, it is foolishness to tithe to God’s work when you could be saving up for a new car, home, vacation, or even a rainy day. According to the world, it is foolishness to believe in a God that can’t be physically seen when you could be focused on yourself, your needs, and your wants and any other tangible concern. According to the world, foolishness is anything that replaces self-importance. This defines the wisdom of the world.
What did God use to refute the wisdom of the world? He chose what the world rejected and despised. He chose his One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. This defines the wisdom of God.
Isaiah 53:3-6 (NIV) 3He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 4Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,
We humbly thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive our arrogance and self-importance. Turn us toward wisdom that comes from you, your righteousness, your holiness, and redemption through your Son.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.
The devotion Foolish Things was originally written for Wednesday, January 4, 2017; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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