In the first chapter of 1 Corinthians, you find a seemingly scandalous thought regarding this season. It speaks of the foolishness of God. But it is a characteristic of God that brought us salvation. Hence, in this Christmas story, we want to enjoy the foolishness of God. Verse 25 of that chapter says that the foolishness of God is wiser than men. It adds that the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Let us consider the first part. What is the foolishness of God? And how can it be wiser than men? You find the answer in an earlier verse. There, we read that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. From this, you immediately deduce that the foolishness of God is somehow related to the cross. Christ died on that cross and accomplished what no other man, regardless of how mighty, could achieve.
It is because of that cross that we are now children of God. You start to see why you must enjoy the foolishness of God. Who but a foolish Father would ask his innocent son to go and die for sinful man? If you believe that God was wise to have sent His son at this season for us, you are a true believer. The bible says that you are being saved.
All the same, there is a class of people who cannot enjoy the foolishness of God. That verse says they belong to the group of people that are perishing. To them, God remains foolish and the sending of His Son Jesus has no real meaning to them. Elsewhere in the scriptures, you see such people have hardened their hearts as Pharaoh did.
Do Not Harden Your Heart
You may recall that Pharaoh and his courts perished in the Red Sea. Anytime a person hardens their heart, they are perishing. They fail to see the wisdom of the cross and enjoy the foolishness of God. We must ensure that we belong to the other group of people who are being saved.
Such are they who do not harden their hearts because they want to hear the voice of God. Because the instruction is clear in the scriptures. “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For a believer to obey God, he must first hear His voice or he might end up obeying the pastor. And then he runs the risk of being in rebellion against God unless that pastor also hears the voice of God.
We are believers because we hear the voice of God and obey Him. He sent His Son; we hear His voice: we obey and we believe in Jesus. That is how to fully enjoy the foolishness of God. Others may laugh at you but you know the wisdom that changed your life if indeed, you are a Christian.
If God had not sent Jesus, where would you and I be? The answer is easy. We would still be in the clutches of satan where he would be manipulating us to do awful things. But with that first Christmas, God made arrangements to transport us from the power of darkness. Next, He brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. What else can we do but enjoy the foolishness of God?
Enjoy The Foolishness Of God At The Cross
On the other hand, you might still not be able to see the wisdom of the cross of Christ. If that is your situation, please don’t let this Christmas be in vain in your life. Examine your heart carefully and if you are unable to enjoy the foolishness of God at the cross, do something. Invite Jesus into your life. You say that you have done that before and still cannot see the wisdom of God that was demonstrated at the cross.
Nothing has changed in your attitude and behavior. You still sin at the same rate as before, probably more. That is probably because you need to both invite Jesus and make Him Master. They don’t explain to you when you come to the altar that Jesus has to become your Master. But don’t feel bad; Peter had to explain this concept to the new Christians in Jerusalem also. He said, “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Until Jesus becomes both Lord (Master) and Christ in your life, nothing changes. But with Jesus as your Master, you are like an organization under new management. Improvements start to take place. That is what Jesus accomplished at the cross for you and me. You can now sit back and enjoy the foolishness of God at the cross.
To Enjoy The Foolishness Of God, Consider The Weakness Of The Cross
We now come to the 2nd part of our key verse which we quoted in the first paragraph. It says that the weakness of God is stronger than men. You already know that the most shameful death is death on the cross. But not only was Jesus crucified on the cross, but the crowd also ridiculed Him. Before then, he had been subjected to a kangaroo court; people had spat on him.
On His head, they placed a crown of thorns and flogged His back until it looked like minced meat. And then, the Jews hung Him on the cross among common criminals. What on earth could be weaker than that? He looked so weak that the mockery continued. “You saved others; why can you not save yourself?”
And yet, Hallelujah, It is in that very weakness that the power that moved us from Satan to God resides. But until you see that in God’s Kingdom, weakness is strength, you fail to enjoy the foolishness of God. Until you see that in God’s Kingdom, everything is the opposite of what obtains on earth, you will not love God. You might be attempting to make God in your image; making God obey your prayers.
But those who see the weakness of the cross and embrace it are those who become believers. They align with God and enjoy the foolishness of God.
Maranatha!
