1 Corinthians Chapter 1

Are you a fool for God? Think about it for a moment before forming an answer. Take the time to consider what I am really asking. If you are a believer, the answer will depend on how long you have walked with the Lord and how deep and personal is the relationship. To appreciate the question, one must go back to the first time they heard the gospel. I may not know the precise gospel you heard but it had to involve a story about a man who lived 2000 years ago, whose life, death and resurrection were very important and if you believed in Him it will dramatically alter your life and your future. Oh, and by the way, He was homeless, was widely hated and he died by capital punishment. One more thing: If you believe in Him, then His Spirit will come to you and live in you and make you feel very happy and complete. Do you feel a little foolish yet?

The Apostle Paul acknowledged the foolish views about the gospel. In fact, he validated it. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-20, he writes,

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.

19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”

In this passage, Paul is not shying away from the ridiculousness of the gospel. He is openly accepting that what Christians hold dear is what the world sees as utter foolishness. Like Paul, people of faith need to go back to the foolishness of the faith to appreciate its simplicity and to guide them in how to talk about it. I strongly believe this basic truth is what is stifling the growth of the church today. In an age of widespread information via free media, YouTube, online education, and social media info-sharing, we have so much knowledge and yet so little understanding. I cringe when I hear Christians debating the faith on intellectual grounds to try to reach the lost. Or worst, to cutely define why they trust the Lord in the first place. Regrettably, this approach is antithetical to God himself. Meaning, if you are debating non-believers about the things of God, then you are not operating under the Spirit of God. To understand this, let us search the scriptures further. Same passage, in 1 Corinthians 1:21-25, the bible says,

“ 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength”.

The Apostle is stating that you cannot reach the lost with the wisdom of the lost. We can only reach the lost with the foolishness of God. The next time you find yourself getting fancy with the gospel, stop, turn away, and then cry out to God for forgiveness. The day God needs us to intelligently explain His gospel will never come. I personally love it when someone says that I sound like a fool. It is at those moments when I sheepishly smile with delight because they have placed me in esteemed company. I feel like David facing a giant with a slingshot, or Gideon hiding in a hole when the Lord calls him a mighty warrior or Apostle Peter being beaten, jailed, and then recused by an angel only to go back for more persecution. Utter foolishness! Yeah, sign me up!

As we look back at the scripture, Paul’s letter was written to the church at Corinth in Ancient Greece. Corinth was a bustling city west of Athens. The culture was typical of a Greek metropolis. The social scene was riddled by great thinkers, orators, and debaters. These talented scholars were heralded for their superior knowledge and clever speech. Many of them had large public followings across the city as admirers flocked to witness them debate all challengers. It was equivalent to urban street rap battles. Where talented, smart, creative artist would openly challenge one another for bragging rights. As these battles raged on, adoring fans enjoyed the heated exchanges and ingenious lines that showed true brilliance on display. It is this culture that began to seep into the church at Corinth. Although the original congregants were simple people who loved the Lord, it became hard to outreach to others in a community that hungers a more complicated gospel. As these newer and more sophisticated additions joined the church, their zeal for knowledge and its destructive impact threatened the church’s very existence. How could a church bonded by a foolish message survive in a philosophical rich culture?

The simplicity of the gospel that led to their salvation had started to lose its appeal and it ultimately divided the church. It was at this point that Paul was asked to intervene. Sadly, Paul was in prison at the time; consequently, he penned his response. Although this is unfortunate for Paul, his writings serve as holy scripture for us today, when faced with these very challenges. Note in the scripture that Paul never attempts to play to the intellectual needs of the church. In fact, he doubles down on the foolishness of the original gospel. Listen to how he closes the chapter.

“26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

We must never believe we can add one iota to the gospel of Christ Jesus. For it was the Father who initiated the work; Jesus did the work, and the Holy Spirit convicts the world towards belief. The only role we must fill is to live a life of testimony to God’s love at work in us. When prompted, we are called to share the foolish gospel that saved our souls to everyone, everywhere.

Therefore the question remains; Are you a fool for God?

Be encouraged,

Thomas Knowles – Minister of the Gospel of Christ Jesus