Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise. 1 Corinthians 3:18 NABRE
Paul earlier in this letter said, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) and a few verses later, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:25) Paul in the quoted verse says we cannot be wise as the world is wise and be a leader of a Christian community. To be wise in the things of the world will not work where the cross is held as wisdom. The world requires prestige, promotion and the influence of money and important people. While disciples of Jesus depend on prayer, the power of the Spirit, humility, sacrifice and service. If we imitate the world we are going to hurt those of the community. In the early church the members owned nothing, they had no influence and they had no store of money. The leaders were ordinary men, with no special education, did not win any contests, had no important people come to help and yet they changed the world. To the world the people of the early church did look like fools, leaving everything, taking nothing, to serve others and put others first for no reason other than love.
If we think we are great, or a powerful influence it is unlikely God can use us to build the Kingdom. God depends on the weak and the foolish, those without power. People who think they have power, cannot be trusted with the power God gives. But the lowly and needy, without worldly influence and wisdom are called by God, they know all power is from God and depends on God. This is the wisdom God desires.
Are you wise in worldly things? Do you see the cross as wisdom?
The lowly and needy, without worldly influence and wisdom are called by God, they know all power is from God and depends on God. This is the wisdom God desires. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #wisdom #fool #Paul #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways