Called to Glorify God

(Please read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

The Corinthians had a tendency to be “puffed up” with pride (1 Corinthians 4:6,18-19; 5:2). But the Gospel of God’s grace leaves no room for personal boasting. God is not impressed with our looks, our social position, our achievements, our natural heritage, or our financial status.

In the New Testament, we do meet some believers with “high social standing,” but there are not many of them. The description Paul gave of the converts was certainly not a flattering one (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Paul reminded them of what they were (1 Corinthians 1:26). They were not wise, mighty, or noble. God called them, not because of what they were, but in spite of what they were! The Corinthian church was composed primarily of ordinary people who were terrible sinners.

Paul reminded the Corinthians of why God called them (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). God chose the foolish, the weak, the base (“low born”), and the despised to show the proud world their need and His grace. The lost world admires birth, social status, financial success, power, and recognition. But none of these things can guarantee eternal life.

The wise of this world cannot understand how God changes sinners into saints, and the mighty of this world are helpless to duplicate the miracle. Salvation must be wholly of grace; otherwise, God cannot get the glory.

Finally, Paul reminded the Corinthians of all they had in Jesus Christ. Since every believer is “in Christ,” and he has all that he needs, why compete with each other or compare yourselves with each other? It is the Lord who has done it all!

The spiritual blessings that we need are not abstractions that elude our grasp; they are all in a Person, Jesus Christ. He is:

• our wisdom (Colossians 2:3)
• our righteousness, our right standing before God (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• our sanctification, the power by which we are set apart to belong to God and to serve Him (John 17:19)
• our redemption (Romans 3:24).

We are set free because Jesus Christ paid the price for us on the cross.

 —Warren W. Wiersbe, condensed