The Weak, Foolish and Lowly

What makes you wise? What makes you strong? What makes you secure?

Those questions are part of the aim of 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. The Apostle Paul's argument there is that Jesus Christ is what brings worth and security to His followers. It is not their own wisdom, but His. It is not their own strength, but His. It is not their own honor, but His.

Perhaps you're sitting at work while you're reading this...or, maybe you've just finished working with your financial software...no matter where you are, you are at just the right place to begin to think about what makes for a successful life. After all, dont' we all want to feel joy, love and contentment?

God's purpose in this world is for our contentment is for us to rest in Jesus Christ so that we will love and treasure Him. Listen to a few lines from the passage in 1 Corinthians...

• God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise;
• God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
• God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are;

What was considered foolish? Who was considered weak? Who was low and despised? Jesus Christ.

What happens to us when we begin to believe that we are wise, strong or high and mighty? For me, my pride puffs up and I begin to think much more of myself than I should. Even more than that, I begin to get a distorted picture of myself and Christ. I begin to believe, "God is sure fortunate to have me playing on His team!!" What a distortion!

In the very next verse, Paul says that God chose the foolish, weak, low and despised so that we would treasure Christ and realize His great worth. And, attached to this He chooses these people so that we will realize that our only boast is Christ. Our only boast is Christ. One more time, our only boast is Christ.

Now, take a moment to think through your goals, ambitions and ideas of what brings your greatest worth. If it is not Christ, and you consider yourself a follower of Christ, then pray and ask God to help you rightly prioritize your thinking and boasting.