The Problem With Know-It-Alls
1 CORINTHIANS 1: 18-25
(August 5)
No one likes a know-it-all. When I was in elementary school, there was a know-it-all in my class. This student had to be the FIRST to raise their hand in answer to the teacher's question, the FIRST to turn in the test, the FIRST in line for recess, and the FIRST-place winner of the weekly spelling bee. This child was an over-achieving, highly competitive, seemingly brilliant kid. This child was ME!
It is funny how much we THINK we know. We can get so comfortable with being thought of as wise, that we start to feel as if we really do KNOW IT ALL. It is not until we realize that we, in fact, don't know nearly as much as we thought we did, that we can begin to really know the One who does.
The Jews thought they knew it all. They were sure a sign would come when the Messiah arrived, and that he would be this great princely being. So, when he didn't come in the fashion that they thought he should, they rejected him.
The Gentiles, who lived by the wisdom of the world, laughed at the idea of Jesus and made fun of these "dumb" disciples who walked around proclaiming that Jesus was Lord. How ridiculous that seemed in their worldly wisdom. So, they rejected him too.
Because of this, what Paul was preaching was a stumbling block and foolishness to all of them. And while it might be foolishness to them, it is the absolute power of God to those who are saved.
God, in his wisdom, doesn't typically call the most intelligent, those seemingly the wisest according to the world. He chooses the "lesser" things of the world, the weaker. the most basic. He uses those things to put the mighty things to shame and show his true power.
Even Paul, who was given the honor of sharing the gospel with so many unbelievers, did so in a basic, humble way. He didn't use excellent speech or flowery garble. He spoke simply, stating his case in words that demonstrated the Spirit and power of God.
Paul didn't take his missionary journeys and stand before people with confidence in his own abilities and haughtiness over being chosen. He stood before them in weakness and fear, trembling at his calling.
It is obvious when we read Paul's history that he was not the first to raise his hand or the first in line. But God, in his wisdom, knew Paul was the man for the job, because God's wisdom far surpasses any wisdom we will ever have.
Our worldly wisdom says, "Take what you can get, don't believe anything you can't see, and avoid pain at all costs."
God's wisdom tells us another story, "Give all that you can give, believe in the things you cannot see, serve humbly and expect to be persecuted for it. Show the world that you are different."
In other words, don't be a know-it-all. You don't have to win the spelling bee to be considered smart. Just follow Jesus.