My hope is that this series will offer my readers a chance to consider the names, characteristics and descriptions of our God in the Word.
The remaining Names of God in this series might be considered descriptors, or characteristics of the Lord. We have reviewed the three primary Names of God, along with nineteen compound Names of God in our previous posts. As we venture through these descriptors of our God, I hope we will recognize all the many characteristics of our God that we tend to take for granted.
The Word is truly rich with descriptions of the Living God, and this effort of searching in the Word was quite illuminating. He truly is the ultimate subject of the Word, and His revelation of self-descriptions, or the accolades offered Him by His priests, prophets, kings apostles and faithful truly is a blessing.
May the Name of the Lord be praised, and by thinking on His name, may you have a blessed day.
| 153 |
| FOOLISHNESS OF GOD |
| 1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. |
| Paul is reaching out to the Corinthians, the wise, rich, independent, strong and sinless Corinthians. A church that had attained, that was above the fray and that was beyond reproach. A group of believers that had come to understood a better way. Throughout Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he is sarcastic, biting and ruthless in his treatment of each of their many topics of division within their body. Who to follow, how to relate to others, sexual “freedom” issues, marriage and divorce concerns, spiritual gifts, how to properly worship, who to worship, and the very heart of the gospel was blurry or denied. They even struggled with the resurrection. So every time I pick up a letter associated with the Corinthians, I think of two churches. The first church almost 2000 years ago, west of Athens in Greece. And another church somewhat more recent! Given that background, consider Paul’s intent when he speaks of the all knowing, all wise God as associated with foolishness. Paul is sarcastic to an infinite level, or he is relating to his audience in their pride. He obviously is speaking to them from their standpoint, for they had come to the point in their “spiritual maturity” that the methods God uses in bringing souls into His kingdom, providing them life and love was actually foolishness. And of course this is true for any who consider God’s kingdom when in another kingdom. Everything to do with Christianity and God’s truth seems so upside down, so inefficient, so backwards and against reason. Could not the wisdom of man improve God’s methods, of providing greater results and better outcomes for the church? The Corinthians had surely found out the foolishness of God in their spiritual growth. They could do better! My friend, when I read Corinthians, I read my autobiography, for I am constantly ruminating on how to avoid (or improve – how proud!) the simple truth of the Christ, how He is the answer to all conflicts, sin issues and relationship problems. For the name of God to be associated with foolishness speaks of my pride. His ways are so far above us that when we step out of the Spirit, we simply revert to the “Corinthian” way of thinking. He is not foolish of course. We are. Yet to communicate to a foolish people, Paul hung this name on our God. And there is wisdom in that! 1 Corinthians 3:18 ESV – Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. Are we not to be foolish for God, accepting the “insulting name” from the other kingdom with some honor? To be foolish from the worlds viewpoint is to reject the basic tenants of the world’s order, of it’s expectations and allowances, of how a man centered society works. If you consider the methods God uses to reach others foolish, consider which camp you lean towards. The Corinthians were joining the wrong camp, listening to the wrong counsellor, and walking away from true wisdom, love, peace and joy. The “foolishness of God” associated with our God speaks to our fallen, and proud condition. This insult of degrading the wisdom of God to foolishness is common for those outside of the body. Not only is it common, it is the only option for those who are blind. Not so for those who have had their eyes opened! And yet God is willing to continue putting up with this insult in order for people to truly trust in Him instead of themselves. He truly is the wisdom of God, even as some of His own people assign foolishness to His ways! Let us humble ourselves and line up with the wisdom of God, accepting God’s ways as best. |
I would love to hear of your favorite name, characteristic or description of the Living God. Please leave me a comment, and I will include it in the list!
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