What does "not many were wise" teach about God's selection criteria? Setting the Scene “Brothers, consider your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.” (1 Corinthians 1:26) Who God Deliberately Chooses • “Not many were wise” — Few possessed celebrated intellect or academic stature. • “Not many were powerful” — Influence, leadership posts, and social clout were rare among them. • “Not many were of noble birth” — Lineage, pedigree, or elite connections were largely absent. What This Says About God’s Selection Criteria • Grounded in grace, not résumé. God’s call rests on His sovereign pleasure, never on human credentials (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Designed to remove boasting. By bypassing society’s “best and brightest,” God ensures that “no one may boast in His presence” (1 Corinthians 1:29). • Focused on the heart’s posture. He looks for humility and receptivity rather than worldly accolades (Isaiah 66:2). • Intent on magnifying His power. When the weak are used, His strength stands out unmistakably (2 Corinthians 12:9). Why God Operates This Way 1. To upend human pride – “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). 2. To highlight divine wisdom – His plan “destroys the wisdom of the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:19). 3. To put grace on display – “He saved us… not because of righteous things we had done” (Titus 3:5). Echoes Across the Bible • Old Testament Israel — “The LORD did not set His affection on you because you were more numerous… you were the fewest” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). • David the shepherd boy over taller brothers (1 Samuel 16:6-13). • Mary’s Magnificat — “He has brought down rulers… and exalted the humble” (Luke 1:52). • Jesus’ praise of hidden revelation — “You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children” (Matthew 11:25). • James’ reminder — “Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith?” (James 2:5). Take-Home Truths for Today • Intellectual brilliance, social influence, and pedigree never obligate God; His call springs from sheer mercy. • Feeling ordinary or overlooked positions you perfectly to be used mightily. • Every believer’s boast shifts from self to Savior: “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). Living Out the Lesson – Cultivate humility; God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). – Serve confidently, knowing usefulness flows from His power, not personal prestige. – Celebrate diversity in the body of Christ; God’s mosaic of “unlikely” people reveals His multifaceted wisdom (Ephesians 3:10). |
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