God's Wisdom not Ours

 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

18For 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. 19For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”^c

20Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1)

Thoughts: Paul is educated, sitting at the feet of Gamaliel one of the greatest theological doctors of the Jewish first century.  Paul was a leader of the Pharisees, and some say he was on the Sanhedrin (leading religious ruling council in the country), or at least in line to get on the Sanhedrin.  Yet he recognizes that what counts in life is not human wisdom- the studies, the rhetoric, the logic, the theology.  Instead what counts is the truth- even if it seems illogical or even foolish.  The proud will always have a hard time humbling their mind before the cross.  The cross is too soft for keepers of the law- indicating that those who do not deserve it can have forgiveness.  The cross is messy and sacrifices don't make sense to those (like the Greeks) who want to earn their way by their wisdom and knowledge to salvation.  But if we are called by God and believe, there is available to us, a power and a wisdom that far exceeds anything we can self-generate on our own or together.  It is a power that can conquer death.  It is a wisdom that is true and right.  We do not rely too much on our own wisdom.  We must rely first and foremost on God's. 

Prayer: Lord, you are wise.  Help me to rely on your wisdom and power.