I Corinthians 1:18-31  "For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 

"Foolish" - without good sense or wisdom; silly; unwise; ridiculous; absurd; humble; worthless; (Dictionary).  The Greek word is moraino - insipid; simpleton; silly; dull; stupid; heedless.  One of the root words gives the idea of shutting your eyes; cannot see far off; 

This is what the lost, the sinner, the unbeliever, the "perishing" think about the gospel of Jesus Christ.. why would God become a man to die a horrible death on a cross.. why? 

But, to us.... "it is the power of God".  The "dunamis" - the force; the miraculous power; the abundant, mighty, wonderful work of God! 

Paul tells us why... "For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever.. " This is a quote from Isaiah 29.. God is telling His people that they are doing "religion" with hearts that do not even know Him.. they had forgotten that He was the Potter and they the clay.. they weren't in charge.. He Is!

The wisdom of mankind is what is really foolish.. dull, stupid, worthless, absurd.. for it cannot save.. it cannot sanctify.. it cannot bring righteousness or redemption.  Many try to save themselves by their good works; their great success, their own power, or their many words,  but they cannot.  It leaves them desperate and despondent.. so they turn to whatever they can to bury the pain and emptiness. 

"God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe".  It did not come through wisdom or signs.. it came through the One who is the "power and the wisdom of God." God does not work according to man's ways.. but according to His own will.  He calls us to simply "believe". 

Paul tells us that God calls whom He will.. He chooses whom He wants... "by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption".  So, none can boast.. it is all of God!  God chooses the "foolish things of the world"; He chooses the "weak things"; He chooses the "things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are."  He does the impossible, the unexpected, the unnatural.. the supernatural.. because He is the Potter and we are just clay.. useless.. until He takes us in His hands and works His mighty power in us through Jesus Christ, the Lord. 

Father in heaven, thank You for choosing us.. calling us.. redeeming us through the cross  of Jesus Christ by which we are saved when we simply believe.  Amen