Tough Questions for Christians March 10 Devotional

1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-29 | ²⁶ Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸ God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, ²⁹ so that no one might boast in the presence of God.

In fact, previous human standards of worth and standing are overthrown by the providential purpose of God and the gift of the Spirit. Paul speaks bluntly to the Corinthians about their lack of human wisdom, power, and genealogical standing. They were “foolish, weak, and despised!” Yet in them, the plan of God is activated, the salvation of God made real, and the truth of God revealed. It is their lack of natural aptitude and standing that shows most clearly the activity of God in their lives and deeds. The mark of Christian worth is dependence on His power. This dependence knows no distinctions of class, race, nationality, wealth, or gender.

How would you feel if your pastor addressed you this way?

Gracious God,

Allow me to practice the power of dependence. When I look at others, let me not make distinctions as the world does—let me see the spiritual reality.

Amen.