I Corinthians 1 : 9-

Paul reminds his readers that they have been "called into fellowship with.. Jesus Christ".
Fellowship - koinonia - partnership/ participation/communion.  This fellowship should bring unity, not divisions in the church.  The church in Corinth was struggling with this.. quarreling over things.. perhaps doctrinal issues?   Paul rebukes that spirit of division and focuses on the one thing that is the most important.. the cross of Christ.

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void."    Paul's priority is the good news of Jesus Christ.  He didn't want to distract from the only crucial message by using "cleverness of speech".  The only thing that should be heard is the "word of the cross... the power of God". All the quarreling and division over who they followed.. Paul, Apollos, Cephas.. distracted from the only thing that really mattered - Jesus Christ!


Paul says, "Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom." ( v22)  The message of the cross - that Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of all.. sounded like foolishness to those who wanted wisdom.. and a stumbling block to those who wanted a sign.  (Foolishness - absurdity, silliness;)

But, "God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."  For  even "the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 

God chose "The foolish things of the world to shame the wise." v27
He chose " the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong." 
He chose "the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are." v28

Why?  So that "no man should boast before God." v30

Salvation is ONLY by "His doing".  
By "His doing"- Christ Jesus "became to us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption." 

In other words - nothing else is important enough to become a division between those who have been called into fellowship with Jesus Christ!  There is not enough wisdom or strength,  nor miraculous signs in this world that can save a soul.  God made it so!  He chose.. to bring salvation through His Son.. and nothing else will do it.

Thank You Father for the wonderful gift of salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord.  Thank You for calling me into fellowship with Jesus, my Redeemer, my Sanctifier, my Righteous King.. the Wisdom of God!  O how wonderful that You have given us the word of the cross.. the message of salvation to all who will believe.  Thank you that You are faithful to do all that You have said You will do!  I eagerly await that day when the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed and we are found in Him, blameless..
What amazing grace!  Amen.