1 Corinthians 1:20 English Standard Version (ESV) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Human beings are being human. Our genes classification is Homo Sapiens which means wise man. It is inherent within our order to consider ourselves wiser than all other species. It is also a survival instinct to consider ourselves wiser than other human beings. The motto for the TV game show Survivor is “Out wit, out last, out play”. It is human to want to survive.

Romans 6:11 (ESV) So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Conventional wisdom will say that we are lying to ourselves to consider ourselves dead. Conventional wisdom or worldly wisdom does not want to include sin as an issue. We all sin so therefor we are all alive. This attitude voids the issue of a life in Christ. Please note carefully the last sentence of 1 Cor. 1:20 where it announces God made worldly wisdom foolish. God does that, we do not.

Psalm 24:3-4 English Standard Version (ESV)

³ Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?
⁴ He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not lift up his soul to what is false
    and does not swear deceitfully.

If we were to lift up our souls to say we are not human that would be false. If we said we have no sin, it would be a lie. Ascending the hill of the Lord has to begin with honesty. “I am a sinner, forgive me.” His response is “You are forgiven, step forward.” There I go again, got my hands dirty. “I am a sinner, forgive me.” His response is “You are forgiven, step forward.”

Upward progress can only be made by human beings because of God’s grace and mercy and not by anything we ourselves have accomplished.

Isaiah 41:1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Fear Not, for I Am with You

“Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment.”

Let us begin with the understanding that we are in covenant relationship with the Lord in order to approach and speak with Him. Let us also acknowledge that we are alone in our approach. It is personal and intimate. Speak what is on our minds. This drawing together is calling for agreement.

What is the first thing to be judged?

Proverbs 12:5a English Standard Version (ESV) The thoughts of the righteous are just;

Job 35:2 English Standard Version (ESV) “Do you think this to be just? Do you say, ‘It is my right before God,’

If the thoughts of our minds are just, God agrees. If not, truth is revealed and then we have to reconcile our thoughts to agree with God. How can we carry righteous judgment into this world if we cannot agree with God about our own thoughts? We have to submit ourselves to correction before we can speak truth to a lost and dying world that needs to hear the truth.

Acts 14:3 English Standard Version (ESV) So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Manifestations of grace are only extended in truth. This can only be accomplished if we are in agreement with God. Right thinking leads to right judgment which leads to right action.

1 Corinthians 1:20 English Standard Version (ESV) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?