"The Preached Word Can Save"

I Corinthians 1:19-24

19) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

20) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22) For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24) But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

T

he purpose and intent of preaching is not fully understood, today. Whatever one thinks or has been told, the truth of the matter is that preaching is not preaching unless divine truth is being preached. Standing in front of a congregation behind a podium, and use of a microphone does not a preacher make.

Particularly, today, there seems to be a small yield compared to the volume of preaching being done. Of course, the first thing usually thought is that there is either something wrong with the Word, or that the word is not being acted upon. No doubt, a combination is true. Everyone preaching is not preaching the Word and often, when the Word is being preached, it is not being heeded.

Even if one has never heard the truth of the gospel (which is what gives true direction and meaning to life), he usually has a plan for his life. That "plan" means doing what best benefits him as an individual. If one is saved with this orientation, he will fail to hear what God speaks. Insistence upon going one's own way means that we lose the truth of God's word, making it both ineffective and inoperative in us.

How does one know when his aspirations are for his own benefit? They will not lead to the furtherance of the program of God. Our purpose in the plan of God is not what is commonly portrayed. That is, we have not been born unto Him to stumble around until we find our "niche" in life and then decide that what we want is our purpose in life. When we come to the Lord, we are to set aside our aspirations and open ourselves to His plan and purpose. We are helped in doing this if we understand the wisdom of God.

If we get saved, yet still believe that the wisdom we gained in the world is more valuable or accurate than that we can gain from the Lord, we do not understand the place that the wisdom of God is to hold in our lives. A sure sign of "worldly wisdom" is the fact that it benefits the originator of the thought. The plan of God is not concerned so much with bettering the individual as with bettering His program.

Though the way of the Lord is not grievous, it is opposite from what the fleshly man would naturally do. Therefore, if the choice were his, no doubt he would make an easier one. This is chiefly why we are unable to acquire what we want, or accomplish what we want on our own. If we could, we would never commit to the Lord. What He wants from us more than anything else is a commitment.