Following Jesus 132

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

In light of this conflict between the Word of the Cross and the world, we see that these two opposing world views do not demonstrate an equal dichotomy of good vs. evil. Rather, the Apostle Paul explains that God’s wisdom is all powerful and will conquer and can overcome the wisdom of the world. 

In I Corinthians 1:19, we see that God’s wisdom destroys the wisdom of the world. “For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” God will bring to nothing the knowledge and insight of the intelligent and insightful person of worldly wisdom.  

In I Corinthians 1:20 Paul says, “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?” The wise is the clever person of the world. The scribe is the expert teacher of the law. The debater of this age is the individual who debates with empty speculation. God makes foolish this wisdom. He symbolically causes people to cause to lose their taste for the world’s wisdom. He will cause the world’s wisdom to be thought of as nonsense, rather than the opposite. 

We not only see the truth that God’s wisdom is more powerful than the world’s wisdom, but the Lord’s wisdom is the only knowledge which delivers repentant sinners from the great and heavy burden caused by their sin. Vs. 21. 

“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.” (I Corinthians 1:21). 

What is it that Paul and others preached which was regarded as foolishness or folly? Simply, the word of the cross. This message, because of the person of whom the message centers, saves those who believe. 

Saves them from what? Their great and heavy burden of sin. They are saved from the penalty this burden brings, the power this burden exerts and eventually the presence this burden bears. 

Ultimately, why did God choose to relieve man of the great and heavy burden of his sin the way He chose to do so? What is the ultimate reason for God’s wisdom in the word of the cross?

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