In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul said that the gospel – “the word of the cross” – was perceived as “foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The reason for this is because they followed after worldly wisdom.
The wisdom of the world will hinder one from listening to, believing, and obeying the gospel because it deceives one into thinking that he does not need God because mankind has everything figured out on their own. This is why Paul said, “Consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble” (1 Corinthians 1:26).
What Paul described in the first century is still true today. Generally speaking, those who are seen by the world as wise, mighty, and noble have little interest in the gospel. The gospel demands that we humble ourselves before God. The gospel declares that we are hopeless without the grace that He has extended to us.
This is not appealing to those who are committed to the pursuit of worldly wisdom, power, and status. All of those things are reasons to boast. Yet the gospel calls us to a life in which there is no reason to boast except to “boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31) as we look to Him for our salvation.
So consider your calling. We could choose to align ourselves with the wise, mighty, and noble of this world; but we would need to place worldly wisdom over the gospel to do so. Instead, let us be content with the “word of the cross” which is “the power of God” to save us.
Amen