"Not Many Wise" August 29 Readings: Isaiah 7-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18–31, Psalm 102:24–28, Proverbs 21:19–20

Today's Readings -  Isaiah 7-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18–31, Psalm 102:24–28, Proverbs 21:19–20

Devotional 

Wouldn't it be great if LeBron James got saved? Or Angelina Jolie? Or Derek Jeter? Or Bill Gates? Somehow, it makes us feel better when the rich, the famous, the talented or the powerful come to Christ. And it would be great.

But it is not the way that the kingdom of God works. Yes, God has saved some important people - politicians, celebrities, athletes, business - and has used them in his work. But that is not his usual mode of operation.

He is a redeemer, not a talent scout. God does not go around looking for the best and the brightest who can do great things to help him. God selects ordinary people and does extraordinary things through them - by his grace and for his glory.

In one of my favorite passages of Scripture, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, and it spells out exactly who God chooses for his kingdom, and why.

Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one may boast in his presence. 30 It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

It was really not a great compliment to the Corinthians, but it is an important point. Not many of them were highly educated or intelligent. God wasn't looking for college professors to populate his kingdom. Not many were powerful. God has all the power the kingdom needs and ours is irrelevant to him. God did not choose many among the nobility. Human distinctions tend to lead to pride and that hinders the work of God. 

No, God chose the foolish things to make the smart look stupid. He chose what is weak so that he could demonstrate his power through them. He chose that which the world disdains as insignificant and used them to bring the rich and influential to their knees. 

He makes his reasons for this clear as well, listing two reasons that are actually sides of the same coin. He designs things so that we, his redeemed, are left totally without cause for boasting. I am nothing except what God makes me and can do nothing except that which he empowers. Why would I boast? It all comes from God and he deserves the praise. 

But boasting should take place in the lives of the redeemed - boasting in Christ and about Christ. It borders on the blasphemous for me to boast in myself, but it is also wrong to fail to brag on the amazing work of Christ's grace. 

The kingdom of God is not about us, our talents, abilities, and efforts. It is about God and what he can do in us and through us. 

Father, it is all about your Son! He paid for my sins and gave me life. You chose me for your glory, to doing your work in me. For that I praise you today.

Think and Pray

Do you judge people on human terms or as Jesus did, on the basis of Christ's work?
Do you boast in yourself or the work of Christ in you?