Absurdity

(submitted by Kerry Patton)

“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.⁹For it is written,

            “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,

            AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”⁰Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?¹For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”   1 Corinthians 1:18-25

An Ambitious, Yet Unwise King

In Isaiah 14:13-15, a depiction is given of the king of Babylon being taunted by those whom he formerly oppressed in captivity:

“But you said in your heart,

            ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north.  ¹⁴‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

      15“Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol; To the recesses of the pit.”

Now, to those of us who read from the grandstand of faith and history, as we read of the Babylonian king’s hubris, his words…his ambition to ascend to that place of greatest highest ruling and make himself “like the Most High…”, we may react with a cackle of disbelief.  Nobody…NOBODY is like our God, and no one gets to ascend to the heavens and effectively shove God off his throne.  His holiness, his might, his majesty, his omnipotence…these render any such aspirations by anyone other than God to failure long before they are even attempted.  Such ambition is…absurd…and unwise.  Nobody gets to be God.  God and God alone sits upon the throne…and of his reign, there shall be no end.  Amen!

Yet Another Absurd Statement

“I can be lord of my own life.  I don’t need any religion telling me what to do, or not do.  I don’t need your Jesus.  Oh, church may be fine for you, but I’m fine just like I am.  Thank you, no.” 

What an absurd thing to say.  Right?  And we agonize for the millions who die every year by that philosophy.  Carrying their pride and rejection of the cross and blood of Christ to their grave, they perish – believing they are actually wiser and better than anyone trapped within the confines of religion.  And then ultimately, once it is too late, they realize what a horrible error they have made.  They have come to their end and face the wrath of God without the covering of Christ for their sins.

I wrestle today with the life of a dear friend who for whatever reason has rejected the love of God in Christ Jesus.  While family and friends ache; knowing that his soul is insecure, that his eternity will be weighed in the balance upon his death and found lacking, he resists the Gospel.  He rejects the free gift of God.  And for what???  For nothing.  It is for me the height of absurdity.  Like the man at a local restaurant recently, who refused to enter through a door that I was already holding.  “I have the door friend…please go in!”  And he was angered that I would not move and let HIM take the door.  Unaware of his frustration, I patted him on the shoulder and said “Just receive the gift and enjoy your meal.”  When I touched him, he erupted. “YOU DON’T NEED TO TOUCH ME…”  He reluctantly went through the door, but rejected the notion and gesture of friendship.  He was angry and wanted none of it.

An Invitation, though it Might Seem to You Absurd

Brother or Sister, if you read this devotion today and have not yet settled the account of your own soul…reach out to Jesus.  Of your soul, he said:

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20. 

Believe on and confess Jesus as your Savior, his shed blood as the ransom for your sins…and you will be saved!  Cast off your skepticism.  Truly you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain!  Receive the foolishness of Christ and discover the wisdom of God.

Prayer

Father, I confess that I am a sinner.  I have lived my own way and it has brought me to nowhere…and will lead me only to death.  I receive the gift of God in Jesus’ shed blood as the payment for my sins, and I ask your Holy Spirit to guide me in the walk of faithfulness and righteousness.  I choose Jesus.   In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

*If you have read this and received Christ as your Savior, we would like to assist you on your new journey.  Please write to Pastor@nsbcweatherford.com or call 817-599-9612.  We look forward to hearing from you.