Drawing on 1 Corinthians 1:27-31, the author reflects on God's sovereign choice of the weak and foolish things of the world to confound worldly wisdom, emphasizing that believers' glorying should be in the Lord alone rather than in themselves. Through personal testimony and pastoral encouragement, Beckett expounds the doctrines of divine election (God choosing His people before the foundation of the world), justification through Christ's perfect sacrifice and atonement, and sanctification, while applying 2 Corinthians 12:9 to demonstrate how God's grace is made perfect in human weakness and suffering. The letter presents a Reformed understanding of God's sovereignty over the believer's circumstances and the assurance of God's love in Christ as immutable, grounded in Romans 8:38-39.
What does the Bible say about God's choice of the foolish and weak?
God chooses the foolish and weak to confound the wise, showcasing His power and grace (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
How do we know the doctrine of unconditional election is true?
The doctrine of unconditional election is supported by scripture, emphasizing God's sovereign choice in salvation (Ephesians 1:4-5).
Ephesians 1:4-5
Why is God's sovereign grace important for Christians?
God's sovereign grace is vital as it assures believers of their ultimate salvation and God's unwavering love (Romans 8:38-39).
Romans 8:38-39
1 Corinthians 1:27-31 “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
This is an open letter to a brother in Christ who left a comment under my post entitled “Hiatus”.
I am touched and deeply saddened , yet rejoicing in the Sovereignty of our God, who alone sheds His love abroad in our hearts. We walk this vale of tears and often don’t understand the path that He leads us along, I am of the same mind. I always return to Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I can, along with you Douglas, know from my own life of fulfilling the lusts of the flesh what I have been delivered from by His grace and mercy. I can, along with you, ask myself, ‘why have I been chosen as a guest to the wedding feast’ and why am I robed in the wedding garment, the pure righteousness of Christ? Why have my sins been forgiven by the perfect sacrifice and atonement of Christ Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God and why have I lost all my guilty stains? We know that it has nothing to do with us, only with the will of our God who has chosen a people for Himself before the foundation of the world, for His good pleasure. “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord”.
I thank Him with you for your wife Anne who faithfully is your caregiver, I am a caregiver for my own ailing, housebound husband. It is the path chosen for each of us as well. You have been a blessing to me, especially in the constant reminders of the love of God to His own, amidst the frailty of our frames. I am reminded as well of the great Apostle Paul asking Jesus to remove the thorn from his side and Jesus said unto him:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Be encouraged that although your physical faculties are deteriorating we can rejoice and “be persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
I will remember you and Anne in my prayers when the Lord brings you to mind, I am thankful that our path has crossed. The Lord bless you Douglas.
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