“But by His doing you are in
Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and
sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who
boasts, boast in the Lord.”” (1 Corinthians 1:30 – 31).
I imagine I’ve quoted the above
verses almost as frequently as any other passage throughout my life. Galatians
2:20 may have the first position, and no doubt Matthew 20:26 – 28 is also a
contender for first place; with John 15:1 – 5 in the mix. As I write this I am
reminded how the Word of God is an anchor in my soul, my bearing walls consist
of God’s Word, my foundation consists of Genesis through Revelation with Jesus
Christ being the Cornerstone. Christ is ever appearing to me in and through His
Word; Christ is ever speaking. I suppose one could say that God’s Word is my
primary language, and in His Word I find my thoughts ordered and arranged and
my perspective framed. Everyday God calls me to submit to His Word, to love His
Word, to respond in obedience to His Word – and by His grace I hope that
everyday my life, my soul, is further transformed into the image of Jesus
Christ by God’s Word.
Leading up to these verses Paul has
made a number of points, among which are:
·
God has called and sanctified the Corinthians,
they are saints (v. 2).
·
God will complete His work in them (v. 8).
·
The above points are confirmed in v. 9.
·
Their division is not good, Christ is not
divided.
·
The difference between the Cross and the wisdom
of the world.
The diamond of 1 Corinthians
Chapter 1 has many complementary facets to it, all with Jesus Christ at the
center, all reflecting and refracting Him. Of course, we need to remind
ourselves that the verse and chapter divisions were not in the original
documents, and in doing so we see that Chapter 1 flows into Chapter 2, Chapter
2 into Chapter 3, and Chapter 3 into Chapter 4. Our short-term 21st century
attention spans are a major hurdle to “seeing” God’s Word.
It is by God’s “doing” that we
are in Christ Jesus (v. 30). (Compare verse 30 with Romans 8:28 – 30). It is
not by our wisdom, it is not because we follow a certain teacher, it is not because
we are cleaver or are exceptional orators, it is not because we have conjured
up a certain experience – it is simply God’s doing – we were dead (Ephesians 2:1
– 10) and God made us alive in Jesus Christ. Like Lazarus (John 11:39) we all
had the stench of death in us and surrounding us and yet Jesus Christ called us
out of the grave. Is it possible we have forgotten just how bad we smelled? Perhaps
if we recalled just how nasty we were we would be less inclined to glory in
ourselves and boast in anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ.
I was first introduced to verses
30 and 31 in 1966 by my friend George Will and, through George, the writings of
Dutch Reformed pastor Andrew Murray. I had no doubt read 1 Corinthians prior to
meeting George and encountering Murray’s writings, for I devoured the Bible in
those first months of my life in Christ; but Christ being all in all so defined
Murray’s ministry and George’s life that God used them to place this center of
gravity in me that has grown and deepened to this day…and I trust will continue
to that Day (1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:12). Oh yes, there have been times
in which I departed from the holiness of Jesus Christ in dark, sinful, and
dangerous ways, but the Word of God and centrality of Jesus Christ would not
let me go – Christ’s grace and mercy was greater than my rebellion and sin. Would
I not be the fool of all fools to glory and boast in anything or anyone other
than my Lord Jesus Christ?
The last time I spoke with George,
in either 2017 or 2016, he was still quoting 1 Corinthians Chapter 1, speaking
of himself as “nothing” and of Christ as “everything”. George rejoiced in being
made “nothing” so that Christ might be everything.
What about me? What about you?
I’ll continue this reflection on
verses 30 and 31…
No comments:
Post a Comment