The human race is amazing. We’ve accomplished so much through our intellect, tenacity, and determination. Here are a few of the many amazing things that we’ve accomplished.
Man Made Wonders
If someone attempted to create a video encompassing the volumes of things that we’ve been able to accomplish it would take hundreds of lifetimes to scratch the surface.
As breathtaking as it is to see what we can accomplish we need to remember there is a dark side to having this ability. We can become arrogant, self-sufficient, egotistical, and full of pride. These things bread division, mistrust, and broken relationships. In our attempt to achieve greatness we loose sight of the one thing that is eternally great…biblical community.
As Paul closed out the 1st Chapter of 1 Corinthians he reminded the Church to focus on the one that holds everything together. He wanted them to take their eyes off what they have accomplished and fix their eyes on God. He does such great and mighty things “through people,” that human achievements would look small, weak, insignificant, and foolish compared to his great and mighty power.
Lets take a look at what Paul said to remind the people to be focused on God.
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1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 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. 27 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; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
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Paul’s approach was simple. Elevate God and deflate man. Paul went straight to the heart of the matter. No matter how much the human race tries to find wisdom, justify righteousness, perfect itself (sanctification), or create a utopic unity (redemption) it fails miserably. Paul reminded them that true wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption comes from God alone.
So why are these four things so important? Lets take a look at the definitions of each of these and ask ourselves how they can potentially change our lives.
Wisdom
Wisdom is the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”
Righteousness
Righteousness is the quality of being morally right or justifiable. Romans 3:3 says, “no one is righteous, not even one.”
Sanctification
Sanctification is a real transformation, not just the appearance. God calls His children to holiness, and graciously gives what He commands. The basic meaning of “sanctify” is to set apart to God, for His use. Hebrews 10:9-10 says, “He takes away the first law that He may establish the second. 10 By that we will have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Redemption
Redemption is the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”
If we can embrace Jesus as our only wisdom, the provider of righteousness, giver of sanctification, and conduit for redemption we can begin to allow him to be the filter that we use to process every life experience. If he becomes our filter then every thought, response, perspective, and feeling becomes a response to Jesus’ gospel rather than responding to the circumstance.
Next Step Questions:
How can Jesus become your only wisdom?
How can you better accept His righteous?
How is God prompting you to be set apart for His use?
How could you express you are redeemed in your daily life?
How does responding to circumstances through Jesus change you?
Prayer
God, fill us with your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding so we may represent you well. Help us to sacrificially serve, unconditionally love, and be recklessly abandoned to you.
Amen
C4 