1 Corinthians 1;20-25 (Devotional Thought)

“Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:20-25

As I read this passage this evening I just had some thoughts I briefly wanted to share with my friends and family. As you know, we are commanded by the Lord to be witnesses for Him, to declare His Truth to the world around us. In doing so, I think we too often take upon ourselves a responsibility that is not ours…and that is the conversion of the lost. The task set before us is to call the nations to repentance, to share about Christ, how He came into the world for the sole purpose of dying on the cross that our sins would be forgiven. The Word tells us that it is God who will give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6), so let us not torture ourselves over the response of the person…not that we should not care for if we love God we will love people. But our love for God is much greater than our love for people, and so when someone mocks our Lord, when someone rejects the offer of grace (freely doing so!), then we can continue to witness but it is not necessary for us to beat ourselves over the head about this…we did not fail. They have embraced the foolishness of this world and rejected as foolish the Truth of God. Again, you have not failed…IF you presented the Gospel.

Look to this passage and note how Paul clearly states that the preaching Christ crucified is a stumbling block!! What does this mean? It is offensive to them. It causes them to stumble…to trip over. It’s in their way! So go out and proclaim the truth of Christ crucified…do what we have been commanded to to…then get out of the way and let the Lord do His work.

God bless!