Who is Wise

“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.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18

Who is wise?  The answer to this question is a matter of perspective.  The perspective view, or “angle” as is commonly said, by the viewer determines if someone is wise.  For example, a non-believer “those who are perishing” who watches a believer “us who are being saved” provide our time, money, and energy into helping others who will provide no benefit, or sometimes even no thankfulness or gratitude, would quickly say we are unwise.  Yet, the believer who follows Jesus who looks at the unbeliever who never helps anyone unless it helps himself would look at him as unwise.  It is a matter of perception.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that there are three points of view regarding the gospel of Jesus our Savior.  There is the Jewish view and Jesus is a stumbling block to them.  They want a sign and for the Savior to come as they believe He is to come, not as He came.  There is the Greek view, they look for wisdom in the Western learning way, through the concrete evidence of facts and figures.  So, discussing matters of the heart and the spririt, things you can’t see and touch, are built on emotions and foolishness.  Then there is the Chrisitan view. 

I believe we see these perceptions in our daily lives today.  We may even cross over into these alternate views regarding different subjects if we aren’t mindful of them.  I see the church often dabbling in these perspectives when trying to find a direction or solve any problem.  Our first response to most anything is why didn’t it come the way I wanted it to?  Our next response is what are all the facets of it so I can determine what to do with it?  We are trained to respond this way and we need new training.

Jesus always responded to the heart and spirit of any issue and did not consider any physical condition such as money, clothing, or food, nor did He consider who would be offended by His Message.  He preached sin removal and redemption.  Every message was based on how any single person could get to their Father in heaven and dwell with Him daily.  He preached hope by powerfully telling how we might not be separated from God Who fulfills us in every way.

Our daily message that we spread with our mind (thoughts), our heart (emotions), and our walk (actions) should reflect foolishness to this world.  Yet, to us it is the wisdom of God.  “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Cor 1:25)  We should not be ashamed or embarrassed by the power of God which saves men from damnation.  We should not be shy regarding what is righteous and what isn’t or in our obedience to His authority written in His Word.