1 Corinthians 1:18-31
New International Version
Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[a] 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
Monday - August 29
Christ died for you and forgave your sins before you had a chance to repent. He freely promised you salvation and eternal life before you had a chance to earn it. We think someone only “deserves” forgiveness when they ask for it. Or even when they do apologize we wonder: “Do they really mean it?” But with God there are no games. You do not have to prove to God how really, really sorry you are. You do not have to figure out if you have proven to God that you want His grace. He offers it freely. Doesn’t that sound a bit foolish? How can God just give away eternal life for free like that? It’s because God loves you that much that He forgives you before you even ask for it. Faith is taking hold of that promise and saying, “I am forgiven for Jesus’ sake.”