Signs, Knowledge, and a Stumbling Block
12/29/2022
In the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Believers in the city of Corinth, Greece, as recorded in chapter 1, verses 18–25, he wrote:
“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. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 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.
Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness 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 man’s wisdom,d and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
That is plainly spoken. Yet, who are “the called” Paul mentioned? Are they an exclusive club of predestined souls, leaving the rest of us out in the cold? No. Instead of that scraggly and arrogant doctrine, the answer is found in what is called the Beatitudes of Jesus.
Recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, 5:1–11, they are the types of people who are hungry for God, and respond by calling on God. They are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted because of righteousness, and the people who are insulted, persecuted and falsely accused of all kinds of evil because they have chosen to follow Jesus.
From the very beginning of creation, God gave people the power of choice as illustrated by Him placing those two trees in front of Adam and Eve. One they could eat freely from. One they shouldn’t even touch. Neverthe less, if and when they chose poorly, God had a plan and a purpose which was fulfilled, and is still being fulfilled, in and through Jesus…”foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Yes. Are you one of those who hungry and thirsty for righteousness? You will be filled.
Recorded in the Gospel of John 4: 13- 14, Jesus declared, “Everyone who drinks this natural well water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”
If you don’t understand these things, it’s because you are one of those mentioned above who are perishing and either don’t realize it or don’t care to hear it. Then, I encourage you to change your attitude, because of the fact that not only you yourself but the world around you is perishing.
