WITH THE MESSAGE OF GOD
"For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishingon their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18 AMP). and
There is an old saying, "God moves in mysterious ways." And so it is. He even tells us that His ways are not like our ways and that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). We, humans, have a propensity to go our own way (Isaiah 53:6) and foolishly think that is the best way. When we fail to recognize and seek God, we are easily swayed by other humans who can convince us they are wiser, more powerful than we. We can be convinced to buy what the world, the flesh and the devil are selling, to value what they value and despise what they despise. But God is not in awe of His creation and is not convinced by any of His creatures to show partiality. To the natural man, God and His ways are a mystery. For all their earthly wisdom they have failed to come to the knowledge of the Truth: "It is from Him that you (those selected by God) have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [that is, revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness and thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God; and our Consecration--making us pure and holy; and our Redemption--providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin" (1 Corinthians 1:30).
The message of the Christ-follower to a corrupt society is simple, yet empowered by the Holy Spirit, it brings to nothing (dooms to obscurity) the wisdom of the world, its leaders and rulers. The message of God in Christ Jesus is powerful to the salvation of many (Romans 1:16)--to those who believe. Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
