(1 Cor 1:26-31 MSG) Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of “the brightest and the best” among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.”
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” I used this passage yesterday, but I did not say much about it. Let’s close out the week by taking a closer look at what Paul said in the opening chapter of his first letter to the church in Corinth.
Let’s take a look, as Paul suggests, at who we (and others) were when we were called by God. I was a 23yr. old arrogant, hot-headed, Staff Sergeant in the Army who let everyone know he was from Brooklyn. David was the 8th son of Jesse and his father thought so poorly of him that when the prophet came to select one of his sons as king, Jesse did not even put David in the lineup. Jeremiah was a kid with such low self-esteem that he could not see himself doing what the Lord was telling him to do. Rahab was a prostitute, running a brothel, and now she is listed in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11) and Jesus’ lineage (Matthew 1). And Paul, the writer of this letter, was the first century church’s worst nightmare. As far as the church was concerned, Paul was a terrorist who had people arrested and killed for naming the name of Jesus.
In no way was Paul, or am I, suggesting that God cannot or does not use people from prominent families, with prestigious backgrounds, and great reputations. God can use anyone and that is exactly the point. No one is disqualified because of his or her past. No one is “too bad” because of what they have done. No one is beyond repair in God’s eyes. Anyone who is still living — regardless of age, race, background, socioeconomic status, or etc. — can be used of God. Because God uses people by His grace. However, I do agree with Paul that it somehow seems like God gets extra enjoyment out of using people who have been dismissed by the world. I preach in Jail most Friday nights and I tell those men that they are good candidates to be used of God for His glory. Why? Because many have written them off. Many have dismissed any possibility of a positive future for them. Many believe their dreams have been aborted. But when the world says, “No,” God can say, “Yes,” and defy all odds by His grace.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Settle in your heart that you are forgiven. God knows your past and He chose you anyway. God also knows the mistakes you are going to make… and He chose you anyway. Accept His forgiveness and resist condemnation at all costs.
2. Settle in your heart that God wants to use you. God chose YOU! Let that sink in. Meditate it over and over again. God chose YOU, because He wants to use YOU for His glory. Not because you are perfect, but because of his grace.
3. Never cease to give God the glory. In this passage, after thinking about the type of people God uses, Paul said, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.” Every time you get recognized for your accomplishments, remember that you would not have accomplished them without God’s grace and be sure to give Him the glory!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for choosing me when I, quite honestly, might not have even chosen myself. And thank You for forgiving me, not just for my past mistakes and sins, but also for those You know I am going to make. You know everything I have done and will ever do, and You still chose to use me for Your glory. That Father, is grace, and yes, it is amazing to me. So, in order to maximize what You want me to do, I will settle in my heart that I am forgiven. I settle in my heart that You want to use me. When I get thoughts of feelings of being unworthy, I quickly dismiss them, because I already know I am unworthy. You did not choose me because of how perfect I was going to be. You chose me by grace. I accept Your grace and I seek to fulfill Your assignment for my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
