1 Corinthians 1:26-31 says,...

Today's verses are 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, which read, 

v.26-29 - For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.

Here is another of Paul's long sentences.  Paul tells the Corinthian Christians to consider their calling of God.  Paul might not be flattering them here because he is calling them "not many wise" and "not many mighty" and "not many noble."  It is like Paul is saying, "You guys are just some regular people, but God chose you.  This is a good thing because when others see what is done through you they will have to come to the conclusion that it is to be something beyond you because you guys are nothing.  It will be used and is being used to point them to God."

We have made a lot out about self-esteem in our culture and that we need to love ourselves to be able to love others.  I think we may have went too far out on this limb because where it leads is that we are so good that it is because of us and not because of God.  I think our focus should not be self-esteem but God-esteem and we should focus on loving God instead of loving ourselves.  If we do, God will give us the esteem that we need and we will have sufficient love for ourselves when it comes from God.

The world tries to impress with their wisdom and strength and ability.  The Christian needs to point to God's wisdom, God's strength, and God's ability.  This is what you have been called to sow. 

v.30, 31 - But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."

The word "but" tells us that the sentence following is the opposite or the solution to the previous sentence.  Instead of following the world's way to impress, God has given us salvation through Jesus Christ.  That salvation has given us wisdom from God and the ability to live that out in our lives.  We have ability through God to live righteous lives reflected after His Son Jesus Christ.  We have the ability to continue to grow in our walk with Him.  We are able to see redemption as we follow His words.

Paul ends this section with a quote from Jeremiah 9:24 that sums up how to stay away from the sin of pride and the temptation to elevate ourselves over others.  If you are going to boast, if you are going to say anything in an exaggerated form, make it about the Lord who actually has the ability to perform it.  Don't be spouting off about yourself and how great you are but shout out about your God who chose you and called you to shout out about Him.  One dilemma in the church of Corinth addressed and onto another. 

"Lord, even your process of calling people to Yourself has a plan in the process of that calling.  You use the fact that we are seen as foolish and weak to the world to show your power and strength.  You take those who were once very despised and make us lovers of You and others.  You transform lives and those lives are a witness to the world that You are real and You are good and You are holy.  Amen."

Pastor Adam