I recently went on vacation to see some of my loved
ones, and also had the opportunity to visit Myrtle Beach and Virginia
Beach. As I stood at the shore and
enjoyed squishing my toes into the sand while the waves repeatedly covered my
feet and sank me down deeper and deeper, I thought about how beautiful and fun
it is to enjoy this experience. I felt safe. I relaxed to the sound of the
waves as we kept the sliding door open that night and heard the steady rhythm.
My daughter and I admired the reflection of the moon on the water as we walked
along the beach at night. We watched the sun rise over the water in the morning
as the day dawned. Many were out along the beach already jogging. At Virginia Beach I saw many barges afar off,
three sizes that reminded me of the game Battleship!
But there was a realization that there is a whole
other world underneath those waves. There are sharks and jellyfish to be
cautious of. It gets very deep, and there are many creatures of the Sea, and
some are slimy. There are undertows. As a personal preference, I would much
rather be on the shore than in the ocean.
We can often have various perspectives of things. To one the ocean is a means for making a
living, such as deep sea fishermen. For some it’s a course for travel. To some
it’s a bed of research. For some it’s a sport, such as surfing. To others it is
a fearful thing full of salt and dangerous depths and hungry sharks. It all
depends on what you want to get out of the experience, or what you need. What
obstacles need to be overcome in order to embrace it? Do you even care or want
to embrace it?
I was reading 1 Corinthians 1 this morning and came
across this verse: “ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish
foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (vs. 18).
Those are two very different perspectives! It goes on to say that God will
destroy the wisdom of the wise; He has made foolish the wisdom of this world.
Why would He do that? Vs. 21 says, “For after that in the wisdom of God the
world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to
save them that believe.” They couldn’t see God as long as they were relying on
their so-called wisdom. The Jews required signs, and Greeks sought after
wisdom, perhaps puffing themselves up to feel better about themselves rather
than finding truth. “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a
stumblingblock and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called,
both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because
the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger
than men” (vs. 23-25). It goes on to say that God has chosen the foolish, base and
weak things of the world to confound the wise and the mighty, things that are
despised so that we cannot boast and think highly of ourselves, but rather so
we can glory in the Lord and give Him the rightful glory. He gives us His
wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption, not because we are
worthy but because He is glorious.
Just as I could miss all
the beauty and wealth of the underworld of the Sea, thinking that my
perspective of the ocean is all there is, or is all that is important, so
people can miss the beauty and wealth of Scripture to make one truly wise. It saves
souls from the destruction that is clearly warned of in its pages, and
instructs for success and coping, as well as health and well being. It is the
power of God!
What is your perspective
on God, the Bible, and preaching? How do you view church? Is it something
foolish, perhaps something you see as not good enough for you? Do you have a
hard time humbling yourself in order to do things God’s way? He said, “I am the
way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John
14:6). It’s confirmed in Acts 4:12: “Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved.”
Just like “the last shall
be first and the first shall be last” doesn’t make sense to a lot of people,
especially those who work hard to climb the corporate ladder, those who know
God realize that humility is the key to success, putting others first as a
servant leader, which will in the end promote you and give honor to you. To
those who know God, it is power.
What is your perspective?
Have you taken the time to consider the wealth of knowledge and wisdom of God’s
Word, and most of all the power to save, heal, and forward throttle your life
based on the philosophy of Jesus Christ? Step one is to believe, but that’s not
enough, as even the devils believe. You must accept and trust it by repenting
of your sin and accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior, as the One who loves you
more than anyone else, and who paid the price for your sin debt so you can be
free and safe from eternal punishment. What will you choose? Choose wisely.
Romans 10:13: “For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
