May 9, 2015 – I Corinthians 1:30-31

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written,“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” I Corinthians 1:30 – 31Arrogance and pride blind us to wisdom of God.   Stiff-necked, we refuse the gifts of redemption and sanctification.  We often walk in self-righteous rags. Our perceived strength is actually a stumbling block.  When Apostle Paul asked that the thorn in the flesh be taken from him, the Lord answered….“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Even a small thing that annoys us, may be the teachable moment that God has sent.  And we listen to Him. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4Foolishness, weakness, low and despised — the things we want to avoid — is what God chooses to teach us, to love us and to reach us.  Be one of the least of these.  A mental memory-pic I took some years ago continues to give me joy.  A small 3 year old came in the church and ran to her 6 foot 3 inch Grandpa.  Her arms were wide open – reaching up to her Grandpa.  She rejoiced as she ran, saying, “Papa!”  I know God smiled that day as big as Grandpa did.In God’s redeeming love, there is no room for boasting, simply joy.  In God’s redeeming love there is just righteousness. In God’s redeeming love there is just room for everlasting life through Jesus.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; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. I Corinthians 1:27-29