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January 26, 2023

What God Requires

Joel Bengbeng   |   Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

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Lectionary Week
January 23–29, 2023
Scripture Overview

We must beware of counterfeit gospels. According to one current counterfeit gospel, we deserve God’s favor based on our deeds or intellect or status. The readings for this week remind us that this is false. Yes, the Israelites offer sacrifices, but they are first and foremost called to show mercy because they have received divine mercy. The psalmist asks who can stand in God’s holy dwelling and so provides a list of ways to live morally. Ultimately no one can stand before God on merit alone. Paul reminds the Corinthians that human wisdom is foolishness compared to the wisdom of God, and thus we should not puff ourselves up based on our intellect. Jesus teaches that those who may seem insignificant in the eyes of the world are great in the kingdom of heaven.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Micah 6:1-8. How have you let down God? What changes can you make to recommit to your relationship with God?Read Psalm 15. Consider the notion that the requirements for dwelling with God are in how we treat our friends and neighbors. How does this change the ways you seek God?Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. When have you seen God’s work in the world in a way that is antithetical to human standards?Read Matthew 5:1-12. How do you maintain a poverty of spirit in your relationship with God? How does this help you to serve God and others?

Respond by posting a prayer .

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

18 The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved. 19 It is written in scripture: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will reject the intelligence of the intelligent. 20 Where are the wise? Where are the legal experts? Where are today’s debaters? Hasn’t God made the wisdom of the world foolish? 21 In God’s wisdom, he determined that the world wouldn’t come to know him through its wisdom. Instead, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching. 22 Jews ask for signs, and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, which is a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. 24 But to those who are called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom. 25 This is because the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Paul was writing to a congregation beset with disunity, immorality, infidelity, and other problems. In many ways, the Corinthian church was a microcosm of Corinth itself. Corinth was a major Greek city known for its commerce, culture, immorality, and plurality of religions. The apostle had to remind the Corinthian believers...

Crucified Redeemer, may your cross remind us to stand against powers that silence and tyrannize and to see the light of resurrection in the face of death. Amen.


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