Intoxicating Power
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:18‑25
We are drawn to power. In fact, some of us find it intoxicating. We strive to gain power or at least to have powerful friends. For some, power becomes the fuel for the world in which we live. Life itself becomes about acquiring and using power. As George Orwell famously observed in his book 1984, “The object of power is power.” Power often functions as the currency of business, politics, and even of relationships. This desire for power is never more evident than in an election year. We want the people who share our worldview to acquire power and then use it to defeat the other side. Power is the way of the world, but is it the way of the Kingdom of God?
The Apostle Paul knew how power worked. He lived in a world controlled by the Roman government. He suffered through beatings and imprisonment. He had seen people crucified. He had even used power himself to persecute followers of Jesus prior to his conversion. However, by the time he wrote this letter to the church in Corinth, he had come to see that the gospel was not dependent on human wisdom and power but on the work of the Spirit. He had come to see what is often described as the “inverse nature” of the Kingdom of God where true power is found in weakness. Paul knew that “the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” Paul knew that the restoration of all things would come not by the Church’s wielding power but by reflecting Christ to the world.
For Reflection
In what ways do you rely on power to accomplish your goals?
How might you reflect the way of Jesus in the week ahead?
Prayer
Lord, too often we seek power instead of relying on You. Help us to think in a new way. Lord, help us to trust in Your example of love and sacrifice. Give us the courage to replace our desire to control others with opportunities to love others. Amen.