(The following is the July 7 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read 1 Corinthians 1 and pay close attention to verses 18-25.)
Have you ever wondered why other people believe things you consider foolish? For example, take the topic of aliens from other planets visiting Earth. Imagine a spacecraft with strange-looking creatures inside. What will happen if you share that mental image with others as something you believe exists? Some may agree, but many may find the idea (and you) foolish. What seems believable and reasonable to one person may seem nonsensical to another.
Christians believe what seems impossible or foolish to many outside the faith. Paul describes this in 1 Corinthians, chapters 1-3. In chapter one, he writes, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (v. 18). Also, “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe” (vv. 20-21). Chapter two says, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (2:14). Chapter three adds, “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God” (3:18-19).
It bruises our ego when others consider us foolish. If it happens, we must hold firm that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (v. 25).
Seek God’s wisdom. It is always superior to what the world offers.
Next Step:
What biblical teachings seemed unbelievable to you before you became a Christian? How do you understand those matters now? If some still seem hard to believe, pray for God’s wisdom to understand them correctly and for faith to trust his Word.
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