May 17 - In God's Eyes, Who is Foolish??

Acts 18:1-4; I Corinthians 1:10-18

We've been looking at the theme of oasis in the book of Acts, and in these four verses in chapter 18, we learn about the beginnings of the church at the city of Corinth. Paul stays in Corinth about 18 months, building up this new body of believers. The letters to the Corinthian church, I and II Corinthians, are Paul's response to letters these believers wrote to him three or four years later.

Unfortunately, we don't have their letter, so we have to figure out from context what questions they had for Paul. But, my friends, the church at Corinth was not perfect, not by a long shot. I tend to think of the early church as a perfect place where believers all got along, shared all their possessions, and broke bread together daily.  And for a time, yes, they did that. But human nature being what it is, that didn't last. And Paul addresses some of the ways that the Corinthians had fallen away from the underpinnings of their faith in Jesus Christ.

They are quarreling about which leader they should pledge allegiance to: Paul, Appolos, Cephas, or Christ. Paul forcefully reminds them that Jesus did not send him, Paul, to baptize, "but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." (I Corinthians 1:17).

And then, he lays it all on the line in verse 18:

For 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. 

I encourage you to read the rest of the first chapter of I Corinthians for more on this subject - how God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. It is convicting and it is powerful. And you will be reminded of how often we fall into the trap of counting on our own wisdom, our own instincts, when God is waiting, ready to show us a better way. This chapter ends with "let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." And I say Amen to that!

What does your week look like? Are you experiencing quarantine fatigue? Are you angry about being deprived of human contact? Are you afraid of the virus? Are you anxious? Take it to the Lord, and remember, even though we are physically apart, the body of Christ here at UALC is here for you.  Reach out. Ask for help. Or offer help. What a privilege it is to help one another in these times.

Thank you, Lord, that you chose to use people like us. We are in awe of your plans and your power, and your goodness and your mercy.  Amen.