Christ, and Him Crucified

For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the 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. 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

So very often we are amazed that the gospel is rejected by the world.  Yet what God has revealed is perfectly antithetical to what the world desires.  For some it is a great sign here and now, for others it is the demand that their intellectual pride be catered to in one regard or another.  Paul surely could have talked to them about the verifiable miracles of Christ.  Being an apostle he could have shown them a miracle; as Paul himself was used by God to do many miracles.  Being a man of great education and learning he could have engaged in an intellectual debate that would tickle their fancy.  However, Paul did not fall into either pitfall.  Far from this: "I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."  When Paul spoke to the learned he talked about Jesus Christ, and he resolved not to be ashamed of the gospel.  It is a great example for every believer to follow.

Strength and Weakness

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB 

Many Christians have the attitude that God is lucky to have them with all of their strength, skills and abilities.  Often times our delusions of our own capability gives us the feeling that God some how needs us.  D.L Moody wrote: "For instance, a man may say, 'I have no strength.' Let him turn to Romans 5:6. 'For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.'  It is because we have no strength that we need Christ.  He has come to give strength to the weak." (The Way to God).  Don't be afraid to be weak today, that you may rely on the God whose strength is made perfect in weakness.

Good Vision

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds... Hebrews 1:1-2

"Number one or number two?  Number three or number four?"  I love going to the eye doctor.  I love seeing more clearly.  My vision didn't change until I was in my mid-twenties and then my distance vision began to get a little fuzzy.  I then got glasses.  Driving a few weeks later I was looking at the wrong traffic signal on a confusing intersection and nearly got into an accident.  My vision was fine, but I was looking in the wrong place.  The author of Hebrews tells us where it is that we should be looking.  We are to look to Jesus: the final and ultimate revelation of God and Who He is!  He is revealed to us, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit on every page of the Bible.  Look to Him this week!

Made Complete

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority...
Colossians 2:9-10

Watchman Nee shares a wonderful illustration when he tells of a man with whom he was sharing the truth about the believer's identification with Christ.  Pointing to a teapot on the table he asked, "What should we think if that teapot were praying to God, 'Dear God, please make me a teapot!'"  His friend replied that we should think the teapot was quite silly indeed.  Yet, this is what we often do when we pray to be complete or whole.  That completeness is found in, and only in, our position in Christ.  God will not provide that completeness elsewhere, He has already declared us complete in Christ!