1 Corinthians 1:26-29 “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before Him.” (NIV)
The opening verse of this passage says it all, “Think of what you were when you were called.” That’s a very sobering thought, isn’t it? Paul’s appeal, in prior verses, is to embrace the message of the cross, which is foolishness to the world. But to those who embrace the message of the cross it is transforming. It is also the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Then the focus comes to you and me. The message of the cross can become lost in our pursuit of fresh revelation, new insights, or as one preacher put it the other day, “I love finding new nuggets.” Well here’s a nugget: Christ died to save you and what you were you are not any longer. Paul emphasizes the choosing of God (Him choosing us). Verses 27 and 28 use the word “chose” three times. If any of these apply, raise your hand. God chose foolish things. God chose weak things. God chose lowly things and despised things and things that are not. Some, if not all, of those words aptly describe me. Somehow we’ve lost the awe of “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” And why would God choose the caliber of people He does? Verse 29 answers it: “So that no one may boast before Him.”
Today, with total awe, amazement, wonder, and gratitude, “think of what you were when you were called.” Do any words come to mind? Lost, drunk, addicted, unclean, impure, vile, had-it-all-together, self-righteous, self-absorbed, just self? Remember, you were chosen.