“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” [Isaiah 29:14] Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1Corinthians 1:18-24
The Apostle Paul addresses unbelief in 1 Corinthians by describing Jews who demanded a “sign” and Greeks who sought “wisdom.” Taken at their word, the Jews required just one more sign in order to believe. Sadly, many of them had already witnessed at the hands of Jesus multiple wonders that only God could do. It hardly seems reasonable that “just one more” would do the trick. No, of them Paul would say that their “minds were hardened” and a “veil lies over their hearts” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15). Poor, pathetic unbelief. They stumbled over the “stumbling block” of Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). The Greeks on the other hand saw nothing but “folly” in the Gospel of Christ. Certainly not the “wisdom” they pridefully owned and were accustomed to seek. Natural man will always feel himself to be wiser than he really is, if not wiser than God. That is folly.
The roots of unbelief are not so different today. Either we just can’t “see” Him or it’s all “foolishness.” In both cases the beginning of the remedy is the same – we must come to grips with who Jesus is. That requires an honest, first-hand, personal approach to the Sacred Text. What do the biblical prophecies say of the Messiah? What is the testimony of the New Testament writers (who were willing to die for their testimony)? What are the declarations of Jesus Himself? Who is this Man?
Charles Spurgeon would say that “Unbelief toward the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most unreasonable thing in all the world, because the reason the unbeliever gives for his unbelief is fairly met by the character and constitution of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Spurgeon’s Sermons, Volume 3, Sermon XXV, pg. 325) Fairly met. In other words, if one struggles with unbelief go to the Gospel and meet the God-Man.
All men will have to deal with the person and claims of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is far better to deal with Him in this life before facing Him in the next. It is a great mercy that you have been given an opportunity to hear the gospel for many have not. But in the hearing you have become accountable and will be held to account by Him who sits on the throne of heaven. Those outside of Christ are held individually and personally accountable for their sins by a holy God. To rely on what you’ve heard others say of Christ, or lean on your own narrow experience of experimental Christianity, is the purest of follies. Do your own due diligence! Then seek Him with the eyes of faith. (Hebrews 11:6)
“I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Learned Puritan 