The Awesomeness of God

"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

I find this truth amazing. When I think about the men Jesus chose to be the first church leaders, this truth rings true. Who were Jesus' twelve? Ordinary men who made their livings by fishing or even collecting taxes. They were not extraordinarily smart or wealthy, yet they became incredibly wise and confident by the power of God. The power of the Holy Spirit working through them caused the early church to explode in thousands of passionate Christians.

How great is the confidence that we are in Christ not because of our intelligence and might, but rather due to God's perfect ability to flourish in our weaknesses?

Isn't it ironic that whatever the world does to stop Christianity from spreading only serves to grow the numbers of God's faithful? The Romans thought that they would be done with it once they locked Paul up, but what happened? Paul proclaims that his imprisonment served to advance the Gospel! All but one of the apostles were martyred, which logic says should put a stop to this Jesus thing. Instead, the refusal of these men to deny the one true God and redemption through Jesus Christ served to grow the body of believers even until their last breaths! Only an all powerful, all knowing God could accomplish these things through ordinary people.

Let's put our hope firmly on the truth of God's Word knowing that His Spirit will empower us to do many great works for His Glory!