by David Brenneman
"For the word of the cross is foolishness 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 cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” Where is the wise man? 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 through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the 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. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.
To many people the message of salvation is foolishness. We who are saved see it in the eyes of those to whom it's presented to and hear it from their mouths.
No doubt what Paul wrote here through the Spirit is alive and well in today's world.
Even among Believer's there's quarrels that amounts to a lack of Godly wisdom.
The god of this world, Satan, has been trying to eradicate all signs and wonders of the Most High God of the Universe. His fight is against all the spiritual forces of the Heavenly places and throughout all the places that the foot of mankind has trodden.
With very little exception he manipulates the news services of this world. He manipulates governments where he's been permitted to by God the Spirit.
"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way." 2 Thessalonians 2:7.
Satan's not got free reign on planet Earth. The battle of the ages is yet to come and it's not even a remotely close match when all Jesus does to the vast armies that Satan will collect is to speak a word and it's over.
The wisdom of God in Christ Jesus for the message of salvation is simple enough that a child can understand it. I can testify to that considering that I was but a child when I came to Christ Jesus for salvation.
You cannot abide in this world without running into the foolishness of the world on a daily basis. Satan's schemes are to water down the message of salvation. His schemes involve driving such disturbances to split churches and families.
His schemes involve you my Dear Friend in order to keep doubts in your life to prevent you from realizing your potential in a real relationship with Jesus.
His schemes aren't fictitious. His schemes are real. The truth of the Bible says that to each is given a measure of faith. Deep inside every single person is the evidence to know that God is and does want a right relationship with each and every single person.
When we listen to this world more than we do the Word of God or the Spirit of God we get entangled into the sins of the world.
We put things and people higher than God and don't define it as such to that it keeps us from realizing the errors of our ways.
We live in a dark society that loves sin, hates the truth of God and absolutely does NOT have our best interests at heart.
Those who have come to Christ for salvation are now experiencing the light of Jesus Christ in them. While they can understand and know through the wisdom of God in the teaching of the Spirit of God all the fallacies of this world...those who aren't saved can only see darkness. The very same Scriptures say that those who aren't saved yet cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned...they are foolishness to them.
I know a grown man who idolized Dracula growing up. Dracula was his hero. This man is really separated from God. He carries worry and undue stress around all the time. He's mentally struggling and keeps pushing away the salvation of God in Christ. There's absolutely no wisdom in believing that a fictional character such as Dracula could be of a help to anyone.
Yet believing in anything but the one true living God and Savior Jesus Christ is what a great many people are doing!
You're legally allowed to dress up as someone that God never designed for a person to be. A manifestation that He will never recognize that person as when they face Him at the Final Judgment.
Just because a person denies God or His Son Jesus Christ or the Spirit of God...does not alter the facts.
Scripture says that the evidences of God are throughout all creation.
Jesus testified to the realities of Hell and the consequences of rejection of His free gift of salvation in the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus.
Jesus said before any Apostles wrote of it just what this world would be like before He returns.
Jesus was seen by more than 500 people after His resurrection. Historically, there's evidence, that many other cultures saw him...such as the American Indians.
Jesus said for all who are weak and heavy laden to come to Him for rest...come to Christ to find that rest.
This man of whom I described is in my world today. Literally I can see the weight of the world on his shoulders because he's living in his own strength. He's carrying a burden that's too much for anyone. We were never meant to carry such a load.
Belief. It does come down to what a person believes that determines their future in eternity. Recognize and receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone or rejection and spend eternity in torment paying for your own sins.
So sadly I know that unless this man of which we have been talking about comes to Christ for salvation, Hell is his destination.
Choice came because of the cross of Jesus Christ. My Dear Reader choice is within the hands of each and every single person.
To die without salvation in Christ will net an eternity in painful torment beyond anything experienced in this life.
Quite the opposite is that salvation in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of sins...will net a person joys and a peace that this world has never seen.
This world comes with many thousands of stumbling blocks to keep people from coming to Christ or to keep those who have from a fully realized life in Christ. Satan does not want those who have come to Christ to realize their full potential in Christ.
Oh how the wisdom of God is so different from the world.
My Dear Reader please do not put off your decision to come to Christ.
It is nothing that the world says that it is. You cannot understand what love, peace, patience, kindness and compassion really are until you have come to Christ for salvation.
The choice is yours. What you choose determines Heaven or Hell as where you go next when you die.
The foolishness of the world is on display every day.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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