[21] For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21)
Beware of falling into the trap of using worldly wisdom for matters of faith.
For example, sometimes Christians will use the following logical argument to witness:
- Since the Bible is infallible of God, and,
- Since the Bible teaches Jesus is the Savior of the world, therefore,
- You must believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world
While everything stated is true, this is an attempt to use a logical argument to convert people to faith in Christ. In other words, it’s using worldly wisdom.
Compare the above rational argument with witnessing simply using Romans 5:8:
[8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
When the Apostle Paul writes “we were still sinners,” he means all people. Because we are all cut off from God because of sin, thanks be to God that Christ died for us. In Jesus’ resurrection we have the guarantee that God has forgiven all sin.
In Romans 5:8 we rely not on worldly wisdom to convert people, but on God to work through the Gospel to bring unbelievers to faith.
(A Second Look devotions are written for the congregations of the Ohio District LCMS.)
Kevin Wilson 360 