Reading through the Bible-Arrogance exposed

1 Corinthians 4:8-13, "You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us; and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now."

You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us: "My, you Corinthians seem to have it all! Isn't it funny that we apostles have nothing!"

Though Paul is using strong sarcasm, his purpose isn't to make fun of the Corinthian Christians. His purpose is to shake them out of their proud self-willed thinking. "He was laughing at them with holy laughter, and yet with utter contempt for what they had been doing." (Morgan)

Indeed I could wish you did reign: Wouldn't it be great if they really were reigning already? Then Paul also might reign with you!

God has displayed us: Instead of being full, and rich, and reigning as royalty, the apostles were on display in a humiliating spectacle to the world. The Corinthian Christians looked at themselves so highly, while God has displayed the apostles so low!

The Corinthian Christians had two problems: they were proud of their own spirituality, and they were somewhat embarrassed of Paul because of his "weakness" and humble state. Paul is trying to address both of these problems!

We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! With contrast after contrast, Paul sarcastically shows how foolish it is for the Corinthians to think that they are more spiritually privileged, or blessed, or endowed, than the apostles were.

We both hunger and thirst: Paul's description of his own ministry focuses on deprivation and humiliation. These were things that the Corinthian Christians, in their pride, wanted to avoid at all cost.

Today, the church is heavy with this same attitude of the Corinthian Christians. They were concerned about the image of worldly success and power, and many of them despised Paul and the other apostles because they did not display that image. Today, there is no shortage of ministers who want to display the image of worldly success and power, and no shortage of Christians who will value that in their minister.

And we labor, working with our own hands: The Corinthians, in their love of Greek wisdom, embraced the Greek idea that manual labor was fit only for slaves. It would offend them that one of God's apostles would actually work with his own hands!

Being defamed, we entreat: Paul is saying that when they were slandered, the apostles would reach out in kindness to the one who spoke against them. This also was offensive to the Greek ideal; they thought a man was a wimp if he didn't fight back when slandered.

The offscouring of all things: Some ancient Greeks had a custom of casting certain worthless people into the sea during a time of plague or famine, while saying "Be our offscouring!" The victims were called "scrapings" in the belief that they would wipe away the communities' guilt.

So Paul may have a double meaning here when using the words filth and offscouring; he may be mean he is both despised and a sacrifice on their behalf.

Dear God, may I always be reminded of Your Power as the Source of all in my life!

Reading through the Bible-All things are from God

1 Corinthians 4:7, "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?"

The puffed up state of the Corinthian Christians meant there was a pride problem. Though the pride was evident in the cliques around the different apostles, the cliques weren't the problem as much as pride was the problem. Paul addresses their proud hearts with three questions.

Who makes you to differ from another? If there is a difference between us, it is because of what God has done in us. So, there is no reason for pride.

And what do you have that you did not receive? Everything we have has come from God, so there is no reason for pride.

Why do you glory as if you had not received it? If what you have spiritually is a gift from God, why do you glory in it as if it were your own accomplishment? There is no reason for this self-glorying pride.

Augustine used this text often in proclaiming the total depravity of man against the Pelagians. He knew that it taught there is nothing good in us except what we have received from God.

Dear God, I pray to remember that all I have and all I am is from You!!

Reading through the Bible-God's Word as the standard

1 Corinthians 4:6, "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other."

I have figuratively transferred: In the first few verses of this chapter, Paul spoken of the apostles being servants and stewards. He does not mean this in a literal way, but in a figurative way, so the Corinthian Christians would learn a more proper way to see the apostles.

That you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written: Paul hopes his writing will help the Corinthian Christians learn to keep their thinking Biblically, and to not use standards beyond the Word of God to judge him or the other apostles.

Many people today evaluate a pastor or a minister on unbiblical standards. They judge him on the basis of his humor, or entertainment value, his appearance, or his skill at marketing and sales. But this is to think beyond what is written in the sense Paul means it here.

In a broader sense, it is an important lesson: not to think beyond what is written; we must take our every cue from Scripture. It used to be that something was considered Biblical if it came from the Bible; today, people say things are "Biblical" if can't find a verse which specifically condemns it. This is to think beyond what is written.

That none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other: When the Corinthian Christians were using unbiblical standards to judge the apostles, they could easily like one and detest another based on bad standards. But if they would learn to not think beyond what is written, they wouldn't have the proud taking of sides behind certain apostles (as in 1 Corinthians 3:4).

Dear God, I am so thankful for Your Word!  I pray that it guides my every thought!

Reading through the Bible-God as my judge

1 Corinthians 4:3-5, "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God."

It is a very small thing that I should be judged by you: Paul insists that their (low) estimation of him really matters little; it is what God judges that is important (he who judges me is the Lord).

In fact, I do not even judge myself: Even our estimation of our self is usually wrong. We are almost always too hard or too easy on ourselves. Paul recognizes this, and so will suspend judgment even upon himself. In the end, he who judges me is the Lord.

For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this: Paul also recognizes that he does not stand in a perfect state of justification or innocence just because his conscience was clear. Paul knew his righteousness came from Jesus, not from his own personal life.

Therefore judge nothing before the time: It is as if Paul were saying, "You Corinthians act like judges at athletic events, qualified to give some the trophy and to send others away as losers. But Jesus is the only judge, and you are judging before the events are over."

Who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of men's hearts: When Jesus judges, it will be according to the motives of the heart, not only the outward action. This is another reason why human judgment is often wrong, and why Paul feels free to disregard the harsh judgment of the Corinthian Christians towards himself.

Dear God, I submit myself to Your judgment and pray that Your Spirit will convict and instruct me daily.

Reading through the Bible-Stewards of Truth

1 Corinthians 4:1-2, "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."

Let a man so consider us : Paul asks that he, and the other apostles (us) be regarded by the Corinthians as servants. Paul had a real problem with the Corinthians; they tended to look down on him and not respect his apostolic authority. In carefully chosen words, Paul will show the Corinthians how to have a proper regard - not too exalted, and not too low - of himself and the other apostles.

And stewards: In addition to a servant, Paul asks to be considered as a steward, who was the manager of a household.

In relation to the master of the house, the steward was a slave, but in relation to the other slaves, the steward was a master.

And stewards of the mysteries of God: What did Paul and the other apostles "manage" in the household of God? Among other things, they were stewards of the mysteries of God. They "managed" (in the sense of preserving and protecting) and "dispensed" (in the sense of distributing) the truth of God.

Whenever Paul would hear criticism of his style or manner, he could simply ask "Did I give you the truth?" As a good steward, that's all he really cared about.

It is required in servants that one be found faithful: For stewards, the important thing was faithfulness. They had to be efficient managers of the master's resources. A steward never owned the property or resource he dealt with; he simply managed them for his master and had to manage them faithfully.

Reading through the Bible-Do not boast in Man

1 Corinthians 3:21-23, "Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's."

Let no one glory in men: How prone we are to glory in men! We are more excited about being with the influential and famous of this world than about being with God. We value the gifts and honors of men more than the gifts and honors God gives. How we need to hear, let no one glory in men!

For all things are yours: To say I am of Paul or I am of Apollos is to have a view that is too narrow, too constricted. Both Paul and Apollos belong to you; the whole universe is yours in Christ.

All are yours: This is Christian liberty. And you are Christ's: This is Christian responsibility.

Dear God, let me see that we are all the same in God's eyes.  All sinners. But all yours through Christ if we believe.

Reading through the Bible-A Fool for Christ!

1 Corinthians 3:18-20, "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."

If anyone among you seems to be wise: Paul is being a little sarcastic here. Of course the Corinthians considered themselves wise in this age! That was one of their problems, their love of worldly wisdom.

What is one to do if they are wise in this age? If they are wise according to a human measure of wisdom? They are to become a fool that he may become wise.

Paul asks them to renounce all worldly wisdom, all humanism (man centered philosophy), even if it means being called a fool. If one is not willing to be considered a fool by those who value only human wisdom, they will never be able to truly become wise.

God has evaluated the wisdom of this world, and He considers it foolishness, craftiness, and futile. Will we agree with God's evaluation, or not?

Dear God, let me be a fool for You!!

Reading through the Bible-God's temple is me

1 Corinthians 3:16-17, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."

You are the temple of God: Paul will later (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) speak as individual Christians being temples. Here his emphasis is on the church as a whole (though it has application to individuals).

When Paul calls the church a temple, don't think he is using a picture. The physical temple was the picture; God's dwelling in us is the reality.

What makes the church a temple? The Spirit of God dwells in you. The word used for temple (naos) refers to the actual sanctuary, the place of the deity's dwelling, in contrast to the broader word hieron, which was the temple area in general.

If anyone defiles the temple of God: If you defile the church, God will destroy you. God's temple - His church - is holy, and it matters to God how we treat His holy temple.

Dear God, I praise you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit living in me.  Guide me to listen to Him each moment.

Reading through the Bible-Sunday's Message

Genesis 11:1-9, "Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.

But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the LORD said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth."

The land of Shinar: Shinar was a term used also of Babylon (Genesis 10:10). The multiplied descendants from the ark came together to build a great city and tower, in rebellion against God's command to spread out over the earth (Genesis 9:1).

"Let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly" … they had asphalt for mortar: Using baked bricks and asphalt for mortar, men built a tower that was both strong and waterproof, even as Noah used the same material in waterproofing the ark (Genesis 6:14). Later Moses' mother used the same material in waterproofing Moses' basket (Exodus 2:3).

This was a strong statement of self against God. When they said let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens, they meant it.

This tower was real. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus said the tower of Babel still stood in his day and he had seen it.

The LORD came down to see the city and the tower: The personal character of the language indicates this perhaps was a time when God came down in the form of a man, in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Let Us go down: This is another subtle reference to the Trinity.

Nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them: The potential of fallen man is terrible and powerful. When we think of the horrific accomplishments for evil of men in the 20^th century, the great ability of men and nations is a painful consideration.

So the LORD scattered them abroad: The forced separation of men from Babel was more God's mercy than His judgment. God, in dividing man both linguistically and geographically, put a check on the power of his fallen nature.

Families would multiply rapidly, develop their own culture, and their own distinctive biological and physical characteristics influenced by their environment. In the small population, genetic characteristics change very quickly, and as the population of the group grew bigger, the changes stabilized and became more or less permanent.

The LORD confused the language of all the earth: Language is so complex because languages exist as whole systems, not as small parts put together. Most modern linguists believe all languages come from one original language.

The whole account of what happened at Babel with its anti-God dictator, its organized rebellion against God, and its direct distrust of God's promise shows man hasn't gotten any better since the flood. Time, progress, government, and organization have made man better off, but not better.

Dear God, I pray that you will destroy any towers in my life that are not of You!

Reading through the Bible-The work of Christ

1 Corinthians 3:10-15, "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

According to the grace of God: In describing Paul's work among the Corinthians, he begins with a declaration of grace. He knew that his status as a worker in God's field, or on God's building, was based on God's undeserved favor, not on his own deserving or merit.

I have laid the foundation: When Paul founded the church in Corinth (Acts 18), he set the only foundation that can be laid: the person and work of Jesus Christ. Yet he knew that others would come after him and build on the foundation he set.

So, let each one take heed how he builds on it. There is only one foundation for the church. If it isn't founded on Jesus Christ, it isn't a church at all. 

By using the figures of gold, silver, and precious stones, Paul seems to have in mind the temple building materials (1 Chronicles 22:14, 16; 29:2). The "building" God is constructing in His people, with His fellow workers is His "temple."

Precious stones doesn't mean jewels, but fine stone materials like marble and granite. Mixing the wisdom of men with the wisdom of God in the work of building the church is like using alternate layers of straw and marble in building. Straw may be fine, it may have a place (in the barn), but it is an inadequate building material. In the same way, human wisdom and fleshly attractions may have a place in life, but not in the building of the church.

The fire will test each one's work: When our work is tested by God, it will be revealed what kind of work it was. Just as fire will destroy wood, hay, and straw, but not gold, silver, and precious stones, so the work of some will be revealed as nothing on that Day.

It is a sobering thought: many, many people who believe they are serving God, but are doing it in an unworthy manner or with unworthy "materials" will come to find in eternity that they have, in reality, done nothing for the Lord. Some will be saved, but with a life that was wasted, and receive no crown to give to Jesus, for His glory (as in Revelation 4:10-11). He himself will be saved, yet so as through the fire: Saved, but barely saved, and saved with everything gone.

Dear God, please let my life be only a reflection of Jesus alone.  Burn away everything that is not of Christ in my life!!

Reading through the Bible-God's fellow workers

1 Corinthians 3:8-9, "Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building."

He who plants and he who waters are one: In combating the Corinthian desire to divide among leaders, Paul reminds them they are all on the same team.

Each one will receive his own reward: All work together, but each is rewarded individually. Reward is not given according to gifts, talents, or even success, but according to their own labor.

We are God's fellow workers: God has given us the amazing opportunity to work with Him. When you consider all the ways God could have done His work, it is even more amazing to know He wants our participation.

Thank you Dear God for using me to point others to You!  Your glory is endless!!

Reading through the Bible-God gives the increase

1 Corinthians 3:5-7, "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase."

Who then is Paul?  Paul and Apollos are not the ones you believed on for salvation; they only brought Jesus to you. They are through whom you believed, not on whom you believed.

I planted, Apollos watered: Christian workers have different jobs, and see different results. But God is the one who gets the work done; God … gives the increase.

Dear God, I pray that my life may serve as a seed or water to your Love and Truth and that I may have faith in you to grow in those I love.

Reading through the Bible-Spiritual Unity

1 Corinthians 3:3-4, "For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?"

For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal: The Corinthian Christians thought of themselves as spiritual, but their divisions show that they are in fact fleshly.

The problems they had in human relationships showed there was something wrong in their relationship with God. It was evidence of carnality, of a fleshly way of thinking and living.

Divisions, envy and strife in a body are not the only signs of fleshiness, but they are the ones most evident among the Corinthians.

Are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? Paul did not say that they were mere men (that is, not saved), only that they were behaving like mere men. Christians have a higher call than living like the rest of humanity!

When one says, "I am of Paul," … are you not carnal? We might have thought that Paul would be more kind to his own "fan club." Instead of letting their praise stroke his flesh, Paul denounced even his own partisans.

Dear God, let me be of Christ and nothing else!

Reading through the Bible-The simple gospel

1 Corinthians 3:2, "I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able."

I fed you with milk: Paul kept his teaching on the basics, even though they had an inflated view of their spirituality. They believed they were ready for the "deeper things," but were not living any deeper in the basic things he had already preached to them!

The difference between milk and solid food is one of degrees, not kind. Every doctrine that can be taught in seminary can be taught to children, though not in the same words.

There are not two gospels, one for the learned and one for the unlearned; there is no part of the gospel that we are authorized to keep back from the people.

You were not able to receive it: It wasn't that God was preventing the Corinthians from receiving the solid food Paul had to give them. The real problem was the Corinthian attraction to spiritual "junk food," based on man's wisdom and eloquence. They were so "filled" with this junk food that they were not able to receive the spiritual solid food Paul wanted to give them.

Dear God, I am so grateful that all of your gospel is simple enough for even children.

Reading through the Bible-Carnal vs Spiritual

1 Corinthians 3:1, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ."

These people are part of the family of God (he calls them brethren), and that is the problem. Though they have the Holy Spirit (unlike the natural man of 1 Corinthians 2:14) they are not behaving like spiritual people, but like carnal - that is, fleshly-people, like immature Christians (babes in Christ).

Paul has spoken to us about three categories of men. There is the natural man (1 Corinthians 2:14), who is patterned after Adam and rejects the things of the Spirit. There is the spiritual man (1 Corinthians 2:15), who knows the things of God. And there is the carnal man who knows the things of God, yet in some significant ways is still characterized by the flesh. Which one are you?

Dear God, I pray that you will align me with your Spirit in all things.

Reading through the Bible-God is foolishness to the natural man

1 Corinthians 2: 14-16, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.”

The natural man is where we all start life; the life inherited from Adam. The natural man is unregenerate man, unsaved man.

The natural man is unsaved. Too many Christians still think like natural men, refusing to spiritually discern things. When our only concern is for "what works" or the "bottom line," we are not spiritually discerning, and we are thinking like the natural man, even though we might be saved.

He who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one: Paul is not saying that every Christian is above every criticism (after all, much of this letter is criticism). The point is clear: no natural man is equipped to judge a spiritual man.

Who has known the mind of the LORD: Isaiah 40:13 refers to the mind of Yahweh (translated here as LORD); but Paul has no trouble inserting mind of Christ for mind of the LORD, because Jesus is Yahweh!

Dear God, I pray each day for your discernment!

Reading through the Bible-Wisdom of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:12-13, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

That we might know: This wisdom comes by the Spirit who is from God, not from the spirit of this world. Since every believer has received … the Spirit who is from God, every believer has the access to this spiritual wisdom.

This does not mean every believer has equal spiritual wisdom. And it does not mean we will understand all spiritual mysteries. It does mean every believer can understand the basics of the Christian message, which is unattainable (and undesirable) by human wisdom.

Comparing spiritual things with spiritual: Christians combine spiritual things with spiritual words; they use words and concepts taught only by the Holy Spirit.

Dear God, Thank you for your Spirit!

Reading through the Bible-The things of God

1 Corinthians 2:9-11, “But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.”

As it is written: Properly speaking, this is not a strict quotation from the Scriptures. Paul is paraphrasing Isaiah 64:4 to remind us that God's wisdom and plan is past our finding out on our own.

Eye has not seen: Most people wrongly take the things which God has prepared for those who love Him to mean the things which are waiting for us in heaven. While it is true that we cannot comprehend the greatness of heaven, that isn't what Paul means here, because verse 10 tells us God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. This glorious thing is has been revealed by the gospel.

Paul is communicating much the same message as Ephesians 3:1-7, where he writes about the mystery of the church, and how the church in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. (Ephesians 3:5)

Through His Spirit reminds Paul that only the Holy Spirit can tell us about God and His wisdom. This knowledge is unattainable by human wisdom or investigation.

No one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God: Paul argues from the Greek philosophic premise that like is known only by like. You can guess what your dog is thinking, but you really can't know unless he was to tell you. Even so, we could guess what God is thinking, and about His wisdom, but we would never know unless He told us.

Dear God, Your Wisdom is so vast!  I am grateful for Your Spirit which you poured into me the moment I believed!  

"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1

Reading through the Bible-God's Wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:6-8, “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

However, we speak wisdom: Just because Paul would not cater to the Corinthian love of human wisdom does not mean that his message had no wisdom; in fact, there is a vast wealth of wisdom sealed off to everyone except the Christian.

The mature recognize God's wisdom, but the rulers of this age do not. Are the rulers of this age men or demonic powers?

No matter who exactly the rulers of this age are, their defeat is certain: who are coming to nothing. Their day is over and the day of Jesus Christ is here!

Why did the rulers of this age fail to recognize God's wisdom?  It is the hidden wisdom that is now revealed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which Paul preaches.

Lord of glory: Some scholars consider the Lord of glory the loftiest title Paul ever gave to Jesus. It is certain proof that Paul regarded Jesus as God, the Second Person of the Trinity. It is inconceivable that Paul would give us a title to any lesser being.

Dear God, I praise You for Your wisdom!!!

Reading through the Bible-faith in the power of God

2 Corinthians 2:5, "That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

Preaching strategies centered around the wisdom of men - around emotion, entertainment and human personality - may yield response, but not results for the kingdom of God.

Many people use slick, entertaining, or even deceptive means to "lure" people into the church, and justify it by saying, "we're drawing them in and then winning them to Jesus." But the principle stands: with you draw them with is what you draw them to.

If someone's faith is in the wisdom of men, and not the power of God; if someone can be persuaded into the kingdom by human wisdom, they can be persuaded out of the kingdom by human wisdom also.

Dear God, when I am ever in doubt, please remind me of your power and not the wisdom of men.  

Reading through the Bible-Jesus Christ and Him crucified

1 Corinthians 2:1-4, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."

When I came to you: Paul's arrival in Corinth is described in Acts 18. He came and met a Christian couple named Aquila and Priscilla, who were tentmakers by trade, like Paul. He ministered in Corinth for more than a year and a half, supporting himself by tent making.

Did not come with excellence of speech: Paul didn't come as a philosopher or a salesman; he came as a witness (declaring to you the testimony of God).

Paul was certainly a man who could reason and debate persuasively, but he didn't use that approach in preaching of gospel. He made a conscious decision (I determined) to put the emphasis on Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Paul was an ambassador, not a salesman.

Not to know anything "does not mean that he left all other knowledge aside, but rather that he had the gospel, with its crucified Messiah, as his singular focus and passion while he was among them." (Fee)

I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling: Paul was not brimming with self-confidence. Knowing the need and his own limitations made him weak and afraid. Yet it kept him from the poison of self-reliance, all let God's strength flow.

Not with persuasive words: Paul is not rejecting preaching, even persuasive preaching (his sermon before Agrippa in Acts 26 is a remarkable example of persuasive preaching). Paul is rejecting any reliance on the preacher's ability to persuade with human wisdom.

But in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: Paul knew it is the preacher's job to preach; it is the Holy Spirit's job to demonstrate. Paul's preaching may not have been impressive or persuasive on a human level, but on a spiritual level it had power.

Dear God, may I live this day as a witness to Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  period.

Reading through the Bible-Glory in the Lord!

1 Corinthians 1:30-31, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption; that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.""

Jesus, who became for us wisdom: Jesus perfectly shows us, in His teaching and life, God's wisdom. This wisdom is often in contradiction to man's expectation.

Jesus is not only wisdom for us; He is also righteousness and sanctification and redemption. In His work, He communicates three things to those who are in Christ Jesus.

Righteousness means that we are legally declared not only "not guilty," but to have a positive righteousness. It means that the righteous deeds and character of Jesus are accounted to us. We don't become righteous by focusing on ourselves, because Jesus became for us … righteousness!

Sanctification speaks of our behavior, and how the believers is to be separate from the world and unto God. We don't grow in sanctification by focusing on ourselves, but on Jesus, because Jesus became for us … sanctification!

Redemption is a word from the slave trade. The idea is that we have been purchased to permanent freedom. We don't find freedom by focusing on ourselves, because Jesus became for us … redemption!

He who glories, let him glory in the LORD: Paul uses this reference to Jeremiah 9:23-24 to show that God did it all this way so that God would get the glory. The path for God's glory is Christ crucified; the evidence of God's glory is His choice of the lowly.

Dear God, I praise You for your Glory and I humbly accept all of the gifts you give me through Jesus Christ!  Holy, Holy, Holy are You the Lord Almighty!!

Reading through the Bible-Foolishness of me

1 Corinthians 1:26-29, "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence."

You see your calling, brethren: Paul says to the Corinthians, "Look at yourselves. You're no great bargain." There were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble among the Christians at Corinth.

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world: Looking again at the Corinthians, Paul can say "you aren't wise according to the world, you aren't mighty, you aren't noble - but you are among the foolish things of the world."

No doubt, many of the Corinthian Christians were beginning to think of themselves in high terms because of God's work in them. Paul will not allow this. They have not been chosen because they are so great, but because God is so great.

To put to shame the wise: This explains part of the pleasure of God described in 1 Corinthians 1:21. God loves to rebuke the idolatry of human wisdom, and He often does it by choosing and using the foolish things of the world.

The end result is plain: That no flesh should glory in His presence. No one will stand before God and declare, "I figured You out" or "You did it just like I thought You should." God's ways are greater and higher, and nothing of the flesh will glory in His presence.

Dear God, Thank you for showing me your glory even if it means that I also see my foolishness.  Praise to You alone!

Reading through the Bible-Christ crucified

1 Corinthians 1:22-25, "For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

For Jews request a sign: In Paul's day, the Jewish world was looking for a sign. Specifically, they wanted the sign of a miraculous Messianic deliverance. They were not looking for the message of the cross. Their desire for deliverance was not bad, but their rejection of God's way of deliverance was.

Greeks seek after wisdom: The Greek culture valued the pursuit of wisdom, usually expressed in high, academic, philosophical terms. They did not value the wisdom expressed in the message of the cross. Their desire for wisdom was not bad, but their rejection of God's wisdom was.

We preach Christ crucified: Instead of giving the Jews and Greeks what they demanded in deliverance and wisdom, God gives them something unexpected: a crucified Messiah.

The Jews regarded Christ crucified as a stumbling block; perhaps this is better understood as an offense or a scandal. The Greeks regarded Christ crucified as foolishness. But God did not respond to the polling data. He kept to His gospel, because for those who believed it (both Jews and Greeks), Christ crucified is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

If the cross and its message seem weak, they are not; they are powerful and wise. Paul knew this by experience. He was once scandalized by a crucified Christ; it infuriated him that one obviously cursed by God (according to Deuteronomy 21:23) should be honored as Messiah and Lord. So, he persecuted the church before being confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).

The foolishness of God is wiser than men: God was at His most "foolish" and very "weakest" at the cross; but it was infinitely wiser and stronger than anything man could do.

Salvation is not the achievement of human wisdom; it is the embrace of God's dramatic, unexpected act of love at Calvary.

Dear God, I sit at the foot of the cross in humility of your perfect sacrifice for my sin.  My tears flow in gratitude.