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1 Corinthians 2:1-5
In Corinth, during the time of Paul’s writing of this letter to them, the Corinthians were seeking power and wisdom through their own reasoning – through philosophy as producing the wisdom of man, or of how smart one could be.
Paul is reaching out to them to let them know that the wisdom of God is far greater than that of man – of themselves. We must keep in mind that Paul is writing to, “those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:2, NKJV). It is easy to lose focus on this passage and believe that Paul is preaching to the secular community at Corinth, but this is not true as he is preaching to the “saints” of the church – those who have put their faith in Jesus and are following Him. Proper guidance and direction was needed for the new church at Corinth as to what kind of life is reflective of being a Christian and representative of Jesus.
This is an example that believing in Jesus is only the beginning of salvation in Christ Jesus.
This is an example that as Christians, we need continued guidance and direction for living a life that is reflective of Jesus.
We too, like the church at Corinth, need continued guidance and direction for our walk with Jesus, and how we should and can be a reflection of Him in our communities today. Being saved is the beginning of our new life in Christ Jesus. It is from this point that we begin to grow and learn of what and how Jesus is calling us to be in reflection of Him in the world today. We are the eyes, ears, arms, and legs of Jesus. It is through us – how others see us and perceive us that God works through our lives to touch the lives of others in bringing them to a saving grace just as He did for us. We must always be cautious that we, in and of ourselves, are doing nothing for Jesus unless we are seeking and following His will for our lives. The Apostle Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 2:5, “5that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Jesus declared in John 8:12 (NIV), “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus gives us a perfect example of what it means to let go of seeking things of this world – our personal goals for ourselves, and begin seeking His will for our lives – being the person that God has called us to be as we learn in Mark 8:34 (ESV), “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” If we continue as a Christian searching for the things of this world to give us satisfaction and peace in life, we will never find them. This is what Jesus is speaking of when He says to lose one’s life for His sake and for the sake of the gospel. It means to give up seeking the ways of this world and to begin seeking His ways for our lives. The devil will put all kinds of thoughts and doubts in your mind about giving up the ways of this world, which in truth is the ways of the devil. He will do anything to keep you from turning away from him. He does not want you to trust in Jesus. But Jesus has overcome the ways of this world and will help you to overcome the ways of this world if you will put and keep your faith in Him. We must let go of the earthly life that we once lived in sin, and trust that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) as seeking Him and following Him will give us more than we could have ever imagined; much more than we could ever find in worldly things and ways.
Dear LORD,
It is a simple thing to believe in You and in our Savior Jesus. But it is much more to actually follow You and seek Your guidance through Your Holy Spirit. Words are cheap, and we want to be viewed in this world as wise. But it is easy to fall into the trap set by Satan of following the ways of this world in our attempt to gain wisdom and the approval of those around us. Please help us to see that it is Your wisdom that gives life; and it is Your wisdom that saves us and calls us to Christ Jesus and our salvation; that it is through seeking Your wisdom that will help us to overcome the ways of this world; that it is Your wisdom that teaches us and leads us to be the people that You have called us to be – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.