Bible Truth #138 - 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

1 Corinthians 1:22-24

22  Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,

23  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

24  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

How can God’s purpose in Election be stated more clear than that? To all the lost, whether they be Jew or Gentile, the Gospel of Christ - His suffering and ignominious death on the cross - is anathema to the Jews expecting a triumphant Messiah, and it is literal nonsense to Gentiles.

BUT!!! (v24) But to those whom God has called, clearly a specific group of people from among both Jews and Greeks (i.e. “the world” as John frequently writes), those He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), those He gave to His son (John 6:37), those He has drawn to His Son and whom is Son WILL raise up (John 6:44), to those whom God has called, Paul preaches Christ, the power of God and wisdom of God. To us, Christ is NOT foolishness.

You wouldn’t “accept” or believe anything foolish, right? Tell me, then how can a lost person “accept” or believe foolishness? To us, to those God has called, Christ is the power of God - but to a lost man, Christ is foolishness - ergo THEY WILL NOT BELIEVE (unless God works in them to give them belief, John 6:29).

And as a side note let me also say, God does not call every man to salvation. First because God tells us not many are called (1 Corinthians 1:26), and second because God justifies and glorifies each and every man He calls (Romans 8:29-30).

Jesus raises up EVERY man God draws (John 6:44), NOT every man who accepts the drawing.