God's Wisdom, God's Strength

21. March 2009 by Annette Colon-Alvarenga.

“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. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are. . .” 1 Corinthians 1:27-28

Paul was writing to the church at Corinth because the church did not seem to break from the culture of the world, where their Greek culture praised human wisdom and human strength. Paul could just as well be writing to the church today. Not much has changed in the church in the last 2000 years. It is still difficult for many to understand that human wisdom and human strength are not what God looks to or needs when he calls us to his service. Rather, through the process of purification/sanctification, these two things need to be broken down and put away so that we can rely on God’s wisdom and God’s strength to do the work He has called us to.

Personally, this is something I have struggled with for years - resisting the Holy Spirit’s attempts to break down these barriers that keep me stagnant in my walk with the Lord and my desire to fulfill my calling. In reality, understanding that I don’t have be a pillar of strength at every turn is almost a relief; and knowing that my own strength is not even necessary to accomplish God’s purposes is an even bigger relief. After all, what better than to be able to rely on His strength to get us through?

He calls me to set aside my intellect. I never thought that being well educated could have some drawbacks. While it is extremely helpful and and absolutely necessary in the world we live in today, it means nothing in the Kingdom of God. The only way we can accomplish anything to advance God’s purposes in our lives and to touch those in need of a savior is through the wisdom we can receive from God.

We need to permit that our spirit, that may still be tied to the culture of the world, be broken so that the Spirit of God can begin to mold us to the culture of the Kingdom. Therein, God’s wisdom and God’s strength will propel us to fulfilling the calling on our lives.

Posted in Personal Notes | Print | No Comments »