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1 Corinthians 1:18-30 – For the word of the cross is folly 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, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 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. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But 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, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
This passage answers one burning question I’ve had for God for a long time: the question, “Why me?” Why would God choose me to belong to Him, to be His child? Why would Jesus suffer and die for me, and rise again from the dead—all to give me forgiveness, peace, and everlasting life? I’m no great shakes, I never have been. I came from an ordinary family. I’m not rich. I’m not powerful. I’m disabled. Why choose me?
The Holy Spirit answers my question this way: “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, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. Because of Him you are in Christ Jesus.”
Okay, then! If God is looking for the most unlikely people to belong to Him, I certainly qualify. And when I read the Bible, I see Him doing that again and again—choosing the lowest, the weakest, the most unworthy. Our weakness makes God’s power obvious.
But that isn’t the whole story—because God’s love comes into it, too. He isn’t just showing off what He can do. He paid a very high price to make us His own, and He intends to keep us with Him, as close as close can be, forever. And there’s only one explanation for that, isn’t there?
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You for loving me and making me Your own. Teach me to love You. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
- Why has God set His heart on you?
- How do you know this is real love, and not just God showing off what He can do?
- What do Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection have to do with this?
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