Have you heard the phrase “from the gutter-most to the uttermost”? That is what occurs in your spiritual life when you become a Christian. You are transformed from a sinful self to the exact opposite — one who is able to live in harmony with God. Paul talks about what God has done for us, through Christ, in 1 Corinthians 1:30.
1 Corinthians 1:30 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”
Paul had been writing about those who were facing a stumbling-block of one kind or another when faced with coming to Christ. He’s been talking about those with a lot of money, those with a great deal of education, and those who by one means or another has themselves lifted up. This high thinking of themselves presents a roadblock to them which not many can get over. In 1 Corinthians 1:30, Paul contrasts who Christians are in comparison to these other people. it is not us who has gotten ourselves to this new state, but Jesus Christ. Paul says we are “in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us…”
We used to be among those who were “fools” as Paul says in verse 20. Now, verse 30 says God has made unto us wisdom. I don’t think you can get further apart than wisdom and foolish.
Likewise, we were formerly in sin. As this verse in Romans puts it,
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
But now in 1 Corinthians 1:30, Paul says that God has made us righteous, and sanctified us. Once we were in sin and without hope. Now, we are forgiven of our sins, cleansed, and our payment for those sins has been paid by Jesus on the cross.
Why then do so many Christians still live like they are in the world? I’m not talking about going to church. Church-going is a great thing but that is not serving God. We have the key which God has given us to open this door for the world, and we’re so reluctant to use it. When we were saved, nothing short of a miracle occurred in our lives. We were dead to God because of our sins, and because of the sins we inherited from Adam. We were hopelessly lost. Then God stretched forth His hand and offered us a way out, by taking His only Son, and sacrificing Him for our sins. This is a miracle. It’s an event which we take too lightly.
Lets keep in the forefront of our minds what God has done for us; the miracle He has performed both for us and in us. Let’s thank Him every day, and live our lives for Him.
To learn more about 1 Corinthians 1, follow this link.
