“The Foolishness of God”

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

I Corinthians 1:17-25

Many years ago I thought I had things pretty well figured out. I thought I was wise. I had adopted my own set of philosophies, had bought into liberal christian thinking, and figured that I was on the right track. After all, I was in general agreement with most “christians”. I could also do pretty much whatever I liked – drink occasionally, grow my hair long, use unclean language at times, listen to rock music – be like the world in so many ways. Let those funny Bible believers do what they would – I had my “liberty” in Christ! But I couldn't be happy with this for very long because God doesn't tolerate this in his children. He brought me to the realization that I was acting and thinking as a fool. You see, a genuine child of God can sink into this kind of nonsense (or worse) for a time, but at some point God will put a stop to it.

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

I Corinthians 3:18

I realized that I had been deceiving myself to the point that I had to “become a fool” in my own eyes (go back to “Christian kindergarten” and learn God’s ways from his word). This was not easy and I wasn't always the best student, but God was good to me. I never wanted to be deceived again. God has chosen “the foolishness of preaching” and “the preaching of the cross” to save us and also to restore us. When God in his goodness uses a faithful preacher to turn our eyes upon the cross and to see Jesus’ bleeding and beaten form there, it is hard for a true child of God to casually continue down a foolish and deceitful path. The foolishness of God is wiser than men. Praise God for this!