REMEMBER WHAT YOU WERE

Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Key verse: 1

NIV

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.(A) Not many of you were wise(B) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose(C) the foolish(D) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not(E)—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.(F) 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,(G) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,(H) holiness(I) and redemption.(J) 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[a](K)

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 1:31 Jer. 9:24
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

26 For consider your calling, brothers: (A)not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,[a] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But (B)God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; (C)God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even (D)things that are not, to (E)bring to nothing things that are, 29 so (F)that no human being[b] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him[c] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us (G)wisdom from God, (H)righteousness and (I)sanctification and (J)redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, (K)“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 1:26 Greek according to the flesh
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:29 Greek no flesh
  3. 1 Corinthians 1:30 Greek And from him
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. God chose foolish things (26-29)

It is easy to forget what God has done and become proud. Spiritual pride destroys the unity of believers. God not only chose a seemingly foolish way to save people; he also chose weak and humble people to bring the gospel to the world. When I remember what I was when God called me, I realize the greatness of his grace and mercy. He chose foolish people so that the humanly wise and powerful and beautiful people might be shamed. God attacks the problem of human pride at its roots. I must never fool myself by thinking that I am somebody.

2. Christ is our wisdom and righteousness (3

-31)

It is because of God's grace and mercy that we are in Christ. We have done nothing to deserve such mercy. Furthermore, there is no goodness or righteousness in us. But we are in Christ, and he is our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving me when I was a miserable, useless, ignorant sinner. Thank you for Jesus my righteousness.

One Word: Jesus my righteousness