1 Corinthians 1:27–29

Memory Verse

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world in order that He should put to shame the wise. And God has chosen the weak things of the world in order that He should put to shame the strong. And the insignificant things of the world and the thoroughly despised, God has chosen, and the things that are not, in order that He should render idle the things that are. So that all flesh should not boast before God (1 Corinthians 1:27–29).

Salvation is not about those who strongly desire it, or earnestly work for it (Romans 9:16). God has not chosen the wealthy of this world, nor the strong, to obtain salvation through their status. Among the saints, there are few who are wise, of noble lineage, or who possess inherent abilities in this world. In contrast to the best the world has to offer, God has chosen the weak, insignificant, and unwise of the world so that no flesh can boast before Him.

In the parable of the unjust steward found in Luke 16:1–13, Jesus states how the sons of this age are more shrewd than the sons of light (Luke 16:8). They know how to manipulate the world and the people in the world (Luke 16:9). Their wisdom is based on bitter envy and selfish ambition in their hearts so they lie against the truth (James 3:13).

Let us recognize what God is doing and reject the wisdom of this world. As saints, we are to walk in the wisdom of the word of the Christ, redeeming the time (Colossians 3:16; 4:5). Our conduct is not to be based upon fleshly wisdom, philosophy, or the traditions of men, but by the grace of God, we are to conduct ourselves in simplicity and godly sincerity, shining as luminaries among this corrupt and perverse generation (2 Corinthians 1:12; Philippians 2:15).