“Christ, Our Wisdom From God!”

“Christ, Our Wisdom From God!”(I Cor.26-31).
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'”
E. Bolaji Idowu one of the pioneers of African theology said early African converts to Christianity were interested in the demonstrable dimension of salvation than salvation from the bondage of sin. The “elite corps” which emerged as a result of the missionary enterprise has continuity that is visible and which cannot be erased.
History holds that when education was first introduced in Bali Nyonga, nobility did not want to send their children to school because children were beaten in school. Nobility forced the children of commoners to school.
Women also embraced Christianity because in Christ they found the freedom that was absent in patriarchal setups. Therefore, demonstrable salvation, gained through education has become a generic legacy of the missionary enterprise in Africa.
The emergence of the new “elite corps” from ordinary people brought along arrogance and pride. These were evident in songs like, “Fons, leave palace affairs and come inherit life. The palace will pass away…” Other mentions in the sing included various title holders replacing Fons. These kind of songs angered the old nobility who considered that “the Whiteman has put teeth in the mouth of fowls.”
All along, the gospel has become a source of wisdom, means of influence and a new elite breed. The clergy and church workers as a whole – with few exceptions – come from humble and insignificant backgrounds. But they have in the majority become powerful, wise, influential and wield significant authority in society.
You see how perfectly we fit the Corinthian context which Paul was addressing! This is how far through the Lord Jesus Christ God has taken us from nothing and transformed us into something!
Dear friend, it is all about Christ! God in Christ has taken us as we are and making us what he wants us to become. It is neither by our might nor by our power, but simply by his Spirit. We do not have to boast for what we have not worked for.
We are beneficiaries of both demonstrable salvation and salvation from sin. Christ has become for us “wisdom from God;” by him we gain righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit humble us to boast in the Lord alone. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
17/01/2025.