stephen R Harrison

“Reveal Humble Power”

“For 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

Our best wisdom is considered foolishness next to God’s wisdom. We may think we are smarter than God, but that’s impossible. There was a time in the life of every follower of Jesus when their reasoning and intelligence considered salvation unnecessary, even foolish. However, foolishness was our belief that we didn’t need God to save us. Scripture says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1). This has been the mantra of many atheist geniuses from Richard Dawkins, Pierre Curie, Ivan Pavlov, Steven Hawking, and Alfred Nobel. But just because a genius by the world’s standard says God doesn’t exist, it doesn’t prove the non-existence of God. It only means they are non-believers in need of God’s salvation.

First Corinthians 1:18 says, “For 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.”  Verse 19 references God’s words in Isaiah 29:14, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” The Apostle Paul reminds us that the wise people, teachers of the law, and even philosophers of this age teach foolishness compared to God’s wisdom. Although they may not know him, it still pleases God to save them if they will believe (v. 22). Even those who disbelieve and teach others to do so can be saved if they will call on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13). Not only is God alone wise (Romans 16:27), he “is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

The message of Jesus’ death on the cross sounds foolish to every non-believer. I’ve shared the gospel with those who are very smart and the most ordinary people who have rejected it. The gospel is foolishness to all who are perishing. However, we are made alive when the Holy Spirit works in us, and we trust in God’s salvation through Jesus through grace and faith. The veil is lifted from our eyes (2 Corinthians 4:3). The god of this age blinds us. We cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (v. 4). We must not use our heads alone, but our hearts in self-examination to test ourselves and see if we are of the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). We need to focus on the power of God for salvation. Only he can save us, even when we cannot fully comprehend it. It comes by grace through faith. 

During Lent, allow the Lord to strengthen your walk with him. Ask him to ground your faith in the simplicity and truth of his gospel. If you need the power of God for salvation, call on him now. He will not turn away from you. In humility, ask him to reveal his power that brings salvation.  

Questions: 

Have you trusted more in your wisdom or the Lord’s?

Has the Lord saved you, or are you still blinded to his truth?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for salvation. The most intelligent people in the world will one day pass away. We pray if they haven’t, they and all unbelievers will turn to you. Thank you for the simplicity of the gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Read: 

1 Corinthians 1:18-21

Action Step:

Who do you know that needs to be saved? Would you make a list and pray for their salvation? Ask God for opportunities to share the gospel with them. Remind yourself that his power saves, not our persuasive abilities, greatest accomplishments, or best of merits. Trust in the simplicity and power of the gospel (Romans 1:16).