June 29
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GOD CHOSE THE FOOLISH, WEAK AND INSIGNIFICANT
26 For consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no human may boast before God. 30 But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written: “LET THE ONE WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
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In this letter, Paul summons the believers to examine their calling. This letter encourages those who feel weak, foolish and those who feel insignificant. Paul is clearly addressing the problem of arrogance of those who are powerful and try to manipulate to rule the church. The weaker members of the body of Christ must have been discouraged by this power hungry and arrogant members. In this letter, Paul stresses the preference of God to choose the foolish, weak and insignificant. Why would God choose them instead of the elite, educated, rich and powerful? Remember the parable of the young rich man in Matthew19:16-22? A young rich man approached Jesus and asked what good deed must he do to have eternal life. Jesus corrects this young man because his concept of good by doing something to grant everlasting life is twisted. In verse 17, Jesus says there is only one who is good. Then Jesus told him to follow all the commands and the proud young man says that he has already done that. When Jesus finally told him, to sell all that he has and give it to the poor, the young man was so sad because he owned a lot. This is probably why it is hard for the rich, the powerful and the wise to let go of their attachments. They have too much to lose. Whereas the foolish, the weak and those that are insignificant have nothing more to lose. It is easier for them to receive the invitation of God to enter his kingdom. Paul further confronts the proud members of the church with their boasting because he reminds them that nothing they have comes from their own. Everything they have belongs to God, so what is the point of boasting? God did it all so why would they take credit for something they never did on their own? Once again, we see how Paul challenges the all member to care for one another especially the weak and vulnerable.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it dangerous to aim to be intelligent, strong and powerful, and important?