Boasting only in Jesus: notes on 1 Corinthians 1

I have been united with Jesus and set apart for service. I am to live in the community as one who invokes the name of Jesus, my Lord.

I ask God to shower me with grace and peace.

God gives me the right words to say and everything I need to know. I can patiently wait for the day Jesus, my Lord, is revealed, knowing I am not ill-equipped or lacking any gifts I need.

I am to be a vessel of unity, not division. I must not take sides in the Church, claiming I am "of" someone or something. I am part of one body of believers worldwide.

I, like all believers, am commissioned first and foremost to share the Good News of Jesus, not to impress others or make my ministry about baptism or any other act or work of the flesh.

I am being rescued and made right!

The scripture says Jews look for signs. Greeks look for wisdom. I have historically fallen into the latter. Now, however, I look to Jesus and proclaim Him crucified and risen, God's Anointed Son who saved my soul and set me free!

Others might think me foolish—even moronic—but I know deep down in my heart and soul that it is the truth. God's power and wisdom are rooted in me and in my beliefs about Jesus. It is the wisdom and strength of God.

1 Corinthians 1:25

"You can count on this: God's foolishness will always be wiser than mere human wisdom, and God's weakness will always be stronger than mere human strength."

Let me look at my calling: I am not considered powerful or rich by human standards. No, I am a woman who has experienced difficulties in childhood and in marriage. I've often been overlooked, not "cool," and introverted. Some have considered me cold or a bitch because I am, at times, wary of relationships or uncomfortable around people I don't know.

Am I wise?

Only to the extent that God has given me wisdom. All my other wisdom and knowledge come from my own efforts to learn and know the hows and whys of the world. But my wisdom and knowledge are nothing compared to one drop of the wisdom God has freely given me.

Am I strong?

I appear strong to outsiders—resilient, tenacious. But really, I have been crushed at times in my life. Shattered at times in my life. And I am weakened by the troubles of this world. But Jesus in me is strength. One fraction of a drop of His strength makes my strongest moment appear weak. It is as weak as the thinnest tissue trying to hold up a boulder. My strength is nothing.

God selected me, a common girl, to belong to Him and to display His wisdom and power in my life.

I have nothing to boast about apart from Jesus Christ in me.

1 Corinthians 1:30–31

"...credit God with your new situation: you are united with Jesus the Anointed. He is God's wisdom for us and more. He is our righteousness and holiness and redemption. As the Scripture says: 'If someone wants to boast, he should boast in the Lord.'"