As I read the first chapter of Corinthians (shown below) I began to think about the gods that our country has put at the top of the list of importance. The gods of this age seem to be Science, Political Power, Religion, and of course Self. People have put these 'gods', which they have created, in place to hear them speak their wisdom and to learn their ways. Proverbs 25:2 (NIV) tells us, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” The scientific method is one of the best practices of searching out a matter and has given us many advancements and enhanced our lives through targeting numerous sources of disease, discomfort, and distress. Yet, it has not been able to do this without multiple undesirable effects. It doesn't tell us right from wrong and often leads our selfish hearts into devastation simply by presenting the lure of taking the easy way out even though it goes against everything that God is. Through personal magnetism, politicians convince the masses that it is actually wrong to do what God says is right, and right to do what God says is wrong. The multiple religions founded by man use bits and pieces of truth and mix them in with emotionally-entertaining and desire-fulfilling traditions and practices that fool people into believing they are worshiping God when they are actually doing the opposite by honoring everything that is disgusting to God while keeping alive old traditions without concern for the truth of what those traditions are. They are using those traditions to worship God in a way God commands us to not worship Him (Deuteronomy 12:30,31). The worship of self puts any and all things that seem to feel good to a person as well as what will get you where you think you want to be, far above God; putting Him on the level of dishonor in your mind, and dishonoring Him in your heart. Giving our attention to any of these gods in a way that idolizes or allows control in any part of our life is to worship and honor Satan, the very enemy of God.
I recognized all too clearly the pull these 'gods' have on us. I had to stop and ask myself if I am relying on the wisdom of the world...of science...of the opinions, philosophies, intelligence, and teachings of others for my salvation, safety, and peace; making my decisions based on their wisdom? Paul is telling me in 1 Corinthians that none of these things are above God. The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. He is the source of wisdom and justice and strength. We have access to His wisdom only when we have give our life completely to Him, and it is through His holy spirit who teaches us and guides us that we can understand and be transformed, following the Word of God. It is up to us to seek, study, and learn His ways, then to put it all into action by emulating His ways. After all, no one can learn if they don't study and then apply what they learn! And if a person does not strive to live by everything Christ taught, and follow the example He set, then by the biblical definition that person is not a saint (one who keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, Revelation 14:12).
I realize that too often my first inclination is to take the easy route and accept what the 'experts' say, without consulting my Lord. This always leads to undesirable results, and sometimes just a plain hot mess. Taking the easy way is a habit I developed when I was without guidance in my life. Now I am working hard to break that habit as I want to live only for my Lord Jesus; and with His guidance, growth is happening. With my diligence and focus on Him and purposefully emulating His life, He will get me to where I need to be and help me to turn from the beckoning. This is no time to be lazy!
I Corinthians, 1-10 , (NLT throughout) This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus,and from our brother Sosthenes. I am writing to God's church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be His own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as He did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through Him, God has enriched your church in every way – with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as your eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for He is faithful to do what He says, and He has invited you into partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(vs 18-19) The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
(vs 24 – 29) But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing that the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”
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