I have heard Christians express the hope that if God would only save someone famous or powerful, maybe a prominent leader of the world it would help further the gospel. Christian desire seeing movie stars, professional athletes and political leaders express a faith in Christ. When some do we elevate them quickly. We set them up with speaking arrangements and TV interviews. We put much hope in them. When they stumble we abandon them and begin our search for the next famous Christian.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:26 that God has not called many from the elite groups on mankind to salvation. He has chosen against this for two reasons we see listed in the following scripture:
A Shameful World
The first reason is that it brings shame to the wise and mighty things of man. The scripture tells us that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man and the weakness of God is stronger than the strength of men (1 Corinthians 1:25). This is a contrasting comparison. It is not that God is weak or foolish but that Man’s ways are nothing but the most foolish things and our strength is complete weakness. In choosing to save these whom the world regards as worthless, weak and commonplace he brings judgment and shame upon the proud.
Glory in the Lord
By choosing the weak and foolish He receives all credit. The redeemed sinner cannot look at his own intellect or strength to draw credit upon himself. As it says in 1 Corinthians 1:29, “that no flesh should glory in His presence.” We as Christians have nothing to offer and nothing to boast in. We did not choose to follow Christ because we were smarter and figured it out. No, He chose us while we were wretched, sinful, foolish, commonplace criminals. Let us glory in the wonderful and magnificent glories of Christ alone!