The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (The Message)
Do people think my beliefs are sheer silliness?
I probably worry about what people think more than I should. Actually, if people do think I’m silly for what I believe I’m in pretty good company:
- Job was a laughingstock to his friends. Job 12:4
- Festus told Paul he was out of his mind. Act 26:22–25
- Jesus’s own family thought Jesus was out of his mind. Mark 3:20–21
Continuing on in Paul’s letter we find:
It’s written,
1 Corinthians 1:19–25 (The Message)
“I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head,
I’ll expose so-called experts as crackpots.”
So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation.
Does God think my belief or my conduct is silly?
That’s really the question I should be concerned about. The title I chose for this thought comes from the way God describes his people who do not return to him or seek him—like a dove, silly and without sense. Hosea 7:10–14 (ESV)
As David prayed, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Ps 19:14
I loved this one Sandra. The wisdom of this world is fickle. It is silly to build on something without a firm foundation.
Ecclesiastes 1:16-17 ESV
I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
It is a challenge to use our gifts to glorify God only. I think Solomon’s great wisdom and knowledge separated him from God, instead of bringing him closer to God. It would appear that at the end of his life, Solomon shares with his son and us all, his life lesson:
Ecclesiastes 12: 11-14 (ESV)
The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.