"But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. " -1 Corinthians 1:23-24
There are only two reasons why the Gospel is rejected:
1. The Gospel "to the Greeks foolishness". The Greeks in this respect represent those who are seekers of earthly wisdom and who are looking for a more "scientific gospel" or a more "intellectual gospel" even if the result is a theory. They view the Gospel as too simple, or too unintelligent, or too primitive; and overall foolish.
2. The Gospel "to the Jews a stumbling block". The Jews represent those who are religiously minded. They have a preconceived idea of Christ but "stumble" or become "offended" at who Christ really is (His nature and identity).
With that being said, let's focus on my title. =]
Paul goes on to say later in that same chapter, "That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord." -1 Corinthians 1:31.
This means, that it is not wrongful to glory or boast, as long as you do so in the Lord. How do you glory in the Lord? Simply by claiming your identity in Christ Jesus.
For you to live is Christ, right? (1 Philippians 1:21). And according to the introductory scripture, 1 Corinthians 1:24, Christ is the power and wisdom of God. So, for you to live is the power of God and the wisdom of God! Not to mention Christ is in you, so the power of God and the wisdom of God is in you; and you are in Christ; meaning, you are in the power and the wisdom of God!
Shabba!
That is how you glory in the Lord. You claim your heavenly identity. Of course you can continue with this and glory some more in saying: I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, I am in perfect love, I am in the power of God, I am in Christ Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father, I am more than a conquer in Christ Jesus, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and so on!
To the Greeks this will definitely prove foolish. To the religiously minded, the believer who walks by faith and claims their heavenly identity in Christ Jesus will prove to be a stumbling block or an offense. They may start wondering, "Who do they think they are?" or " What happened to being humble?"
Well to those questions: It's who we KNOW we are, and humility is, as Paul has wonderfully put it, glorifying in the Lord and claiming the identity He has provided for us through His death and resurrection! Yes!!!
Glorifying in the Lord revives and renews your spirit about your new identity. You also have to keep on reminding your Spirit-man and the rest of your being that you have a new identity in Christ Jesus; lest you make provisions for the flesh. Romans 13:14 says, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."
You make no provision for the flesh by not glorifying in your old nature!!! You put on the Lord Jesus Christ and His nature! Don't meditate upon who you use to be before salvation!
So in conclusion, you should never be at lost of a testimony. If you don't have anything in the natural, glory in Christ. If you have provisions in the natural, glory in Christ for providing those things. Even when you can't come up with a tangible thing to glory God about in the natural, change your focus, and began to rehearse your glorifying in the Lord for the spiritual things you already have (salvation, authority, power , ect); which in turn will bring about a change in the natural realm!!!!!
~Lynn~There are only two reasons why the Gospel is rejected:
1. The Gospel "to the Greeks foolishness". The Greeks in this respect represent those who are seekers of earthly wisdom and who are looking for a more "scientific gospel" or a more "intellectual gospel" even if the result is a theory. They view the Gospel as too simple, or too unintelligent, or too primitive; and overall foolish.
2. The Gospel "to the Jews a stumbling block". The Jews represent those who are religiously minded. They have a preconceived idea of Christ but "stumble" or become "offended" at who Christ really is (His nature and identity).
With that being said, let's focus on my title. =]
Paul goes on to say later in that same chapter, "That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord." -1 Corinthians 1:31.
This means, that it is not wrongful to glory or boast, as long as you do so in the Lord. How do you glory in the Lord? Simply by claiming your identity in Christ Jesus.
For you to live is Christ, right? (1 Philippians 1:21). And according to the introductory scripture, 1 Corinthians 1:24, Christ is the power and wisdom of God. So, for you to live is the power of God and the wisdom of God! Not to mention Christ is in you, so the power of God and the wisdom of God is in you; and you are in Christ; meaning, you are in the power and the wisdom of God!
Shabba!
That is how you glory in the Lord. You claim your heavenly identity. Of course you can continue with this and glory some more in saying: I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, I am in perfect love, I am in the power of God, I am in Christ Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father, I am more than a conquer in Christ Jesus, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and so on!
To the Greeks this will definitely prove foolish. To the religiously minded, the believer who walks by faith and claims their heavenly identity in Christ Jesus will prove to be a stumbling block or an offense. They may start wondering, "Who do they think they are?" or " What happened to being humble?"
Well to those questions: It's who we KNOW we are, and humility is, as Paul has wonderfully put it, glorifying in the Lord and claiming the identity He has provided for us through His death and resurrection! Yes!!!
Glorifying in the Lord revives and renews your spirit about your new identity. You also have to keep on reminding your Spirit-man and the rest of your being that you have a new identity in Christ Jesus; lest you make provisions for the flesh. Romans 13:14 says, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."
You make no provision for the flesh by not glorifying in your old nature!!! You put on the Lord Jesus Christ and His nature! Don't meditate upon who you use to be before salvation!
So in conclusion, you should never be at lost of a testimony. If you don't have anything in the natural, glory in Christ. If you have provisions in the natural, glory in Christ for providing those things. Even when you can't come up with a tangible thing to glory God about in the natural, change your focus, and began to rehearse your glorifying in the Lord for the spiritual things you already have (salvation, authority, power , ect); which in turn will bring about a change in the natural realm!!!!!
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