Young People's Group

GIVING GLORY TO GOD

by Pastor Mitch
April 17, 2005

The Prerogative Of God To Call Whom He Wishes

God is the Sovereign Lord over all things. He has the prerogative to choose whom He desires. The path to salvation and service has been ordained by the Lord for all mankind. Paul had explained in the text of1 Corinthians 1 of how it was the through humble faith in the message of the cross that people will have salvation. However, for those who took pride in “the wisdom of the world”, they will find the message of the cross as something foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18). They will find it hard to “find” God.

1. Few Who Are “Wise”, “Mighty” And “Noble” Are Called

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”
1 Corinthians 1:26

Because of their worldly wisdom and emphasis on power, wealth and status in life, very few of such people will be called. They will find it hard to humble themselves to understand the message of the cross.

2. Many “Foolish And Base Things” Called

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty”
1 Corinthians 1:27

The Lord has instead chosen those who are considered as “morons” and “weak” in the world. He had chosen those who are despised and rejected by the world. It is because of their humility in recognising who Christ is that they are called.

For The Purpose That No One Should Glory In Themselves

“To bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.” 
1 Corinthians 1:28-29

There is purpose behind God’s choice of the way in coming to know Him. It is for the purpose that no one should glory in themselves. Our salvation is not based on our wisdom nor is it based on our status in life. It is based solely on faith in the message of how Christ was crucified. Ultimately, no one should glory in himself.

Glorying Only In The Lord

“That, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.'” 
1 Corinthians 1:31

We must always be guided by the word of God as Paul was. He quoted this verse from the text ofJeremiah 9:23-24. It is easy for people to glory in themselves. We should not glory in our riches, our wisdom nor our might. Our glory should always be in the Lord. It is indeed a great privilege that we can understand and know Him. Let’s humbly thank God that we are called and that we can know Him. Let’s truly seek to glory only in the Lord and not in ourselves.

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