One of the classic “trials” of life is
the transition from childhood to adulthood. It happens so often that older
children and teens want to be treated as adults even while they behave
immaturely.
Paul confronted the Corinthians with
their immaturity in this reading. He says they are still “of the flesh.” He goes on, “For while there is jealousy and
strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”
Part of the difficulty for us to grow in
faith and maturity is that it begins with the painful realization that we are
not mature. Our sinful nature works so hard within us to make us think that we
are wise, powerful, or able. Often it will point to the fact that we are
Christians and tempt us to think, “Look how smart I am that I figured out that
my life works best in Christ. It is so good that I chose Him as my personal
savior, and I have decided to follow Him for the rest of my life!”
Paul says, “Let no one deceive himself. If
anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that
he may become wise.” Our boasting is not in ourselves; “let no one boast in
men.” (And at the end of the day that is what we all are – human beings, dead
in trespasses and sins.) No, our
confidence must come from outside of ourselves, indeed, outside of our world.
This is the good news of the
Incarnation: the foolish message that
God chose to become man, that is, human. He came to those whom He created, but
who had also rejected Him. He came to the dead to make us alive. He came to
rebels to make us citizens of His kingdom. He came to slaves and made us His
friends.
The foolishness of the Gospel, and
therefore of the Christian faith, is that God gives His gift of salvation to
those who do not in any way deserve it. He pursues sinners – people who, at the
core, want nothing to do with Him – and He wins them. He wins us!
This is the maturity that we are to grow
into: The faith that God has done it all
and I have contributed nothing. Thanks be to God for His mercy! That is what
transforms our lives and fuels our maturation.
Lord, help me to grow up in Your grace, that
the foolishness of the Gospel would show through my life to others who need
this folly. Amen.
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