City Life Starter

The WORD:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NKJV)

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. 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.”

Matthew 22:14 (NKJV)

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Reflection Question for Today:

Do you remember the state you were in/what kind of person you were when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? What happened to change you from who you were then to who you are today? Did you cause that change, or was it all God?

In this portion of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Paul has just addressed the Corinthians’ tendency to associate themselves with favorite individual teachers, and is now strongly admonishing his beloved Corinthians back from seeking signs and worldly knowledge (1 Cor. 1:22) to glorying in the Lord alone (1 Cor 1:31).

There are two fascinating words in these verses 26-31: “calling” and “chosen.” The word “calling” as it is used here is the Greek word “klesis,” which is a noun, and means “a calling, calling to, an invitation, as to a feast, or of the divine invitation to embrace God.” The word “chosen” as it is used in these verses is “eklogomai” and is a verb which means, “to pick out, to choose, to pick or choose out for oneself; choosing one out of many, choosing one for an office….” [This is a root word for the English words “elect” and “election”].

God chooses everyone; for the Bible says that God “desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:4). But only those who respond to God’s call by choosing God in response to His choosing them to become the chosen of God. This is why “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt 22:14) because few are willing to respond to God’s gift of love in Jesus Christ by receiving Jesus by faith.

These Corinthians and you have indeed responded to God’s calling by choosing Him in return. These Corinthians have accepted their calling from God, and are God’s chosen. As such, Paul is admonishing them that Jesus is enough, they are enough, and they have everything they need to live victoriously for Jesus. They do not need chills (“for Jews request a sign..” v.22), nor do they need frills (“..and Greeks seek after wisdom” v.22). Their wisdom from God – Jesus Christ Himself (v.30) – is enough to stand firm and fight the worldly knowledge of their age.

Today, 2,000 years later, Paul’s words still speak the same message to you for your day ahead: Are you worried about responding in the correct way to the worldly wisdom around you that directly attacks your faith in Jesus? Don’t worry, “for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Luke 12:12). Are you ashamed that you are not righteous enough or holy enough to say or do what needs to be said or done in your given situation(s)? Don’t worry, for you are “the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” (2 Cor 5:21). It delights our Father God when you confess this about yourself and believe it about yourself; He sacrificed His only Son for you to see and know that you ARE right with Him. And as such, you can speak His truth – The Truth – confidently. Paul was saying this to the Corinthians: Jesus is enough, and you are enough in Him. You have all you need to live and fight the good fight of faith today. Jesus, through His servant Paul, is saying the same thing to you for this day; will you heed His words?

Paul writes that “….not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise…..chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty….” (v.26-27). To repeat the reflection questions above: do you remember what you were like when God called you? Were you in a lofty position? A high social status? Living luxuriously? Or were you in a weak state? A despondent state? Were you a fool? And, with open arms, God accepted you. You are His chosen one! Paul is reminding the Corinthians of their own humble beginnings, and how God did everything for them – He alone saved them, and made them alive who once were dead:

“He sent from above, He took me;

He drew me out of many waters.

He delivered me from my strong enemy,

From those who hated me,

For they were too strong for me.

They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

But the Lord was my support.

He also brought me out into a broad place;

He delivered me because He delighted in me.”

(Psalm 18:16-19)

“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Cor 1:31). These words remind the Corinthians that Jesus is enough; He is more than enough. Jesus can and does save anyone. If He can save the Corinthians, if He can save you, and me, then He can indeed save anyone. The simplicity of His name, His gospel, is enough. No “ands” (worldly knowledge, signs, etc) are necessary. He led the Corinthians “….out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Pet 2:9). Now all that remains is to “…glory in the Lord” only (v.31).

Prayer:

“Father God, You are enough. Thank you for ‘drawing me out of many waters and for ‘delivering me from my strong enemy’ (Ps. 18:16). Thank You for making me right with You; for making me Your ‘righteousness through Christ Jesus’ (2 Cor. 5:21). Forgive me for thinking I need an “and” to make Your gospel attractive – for thinking I need a sign to believe, or book-smarts, worldly wisdom, or anything else added to Your Name and what You have done for me in my life to share with those You place around me. Thank You for choosing me, even though I’m weak because here I am weak, You are strong. Let me glory in You alone today. (1 Cor 1:31). Amen.”