Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.”
Paul warns us of the dangers of trying to save ourselves through human knowledge and strength. We can never think or work our way to salvation. Only by accepting Jesus as our savior can we be made right and reunited with God.
God does what seems foolish and weak in the eyes of the world for us to understand it is only through His love that we are offered eternal life. No one else can claim this power, only the One who created us. No matter how badly we stumble and fall, the Lord who made us in His image stands ready to forgive and welcome us back when we repent.
God will bless us with true wisdom and strength when we go in His name, sharing the Good News with everyone. This is our mission and the reason we exist – telling the world what God has done for us. His love brought us into the world, and His love will bring us home.
Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the way we have wandered away from what You would have us do. May we be the people You intend, loving You and each other as Jesus taught. Amen.