Take Note Whom He Calls

February 11

"For you see your calling, brethren,
that not many wise according to the flesh,
not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world
to put to shame the wise,
and God has chosen the weak things of the world
to put to shame the things which are mighty..."
1 Corinthians 1:26-27

It used to embarrass me when I was in traffic and sitting behind a dilapidated car with Christian decals on it. It seemed to me a poor witness for Christ. You rarely if ever will see such decals on the bumpers of new and expensive cars ...and that speaks volumes.

But then I happened on this Scripture one day and the light went on. In our society believers are mocked and the rich and "successful" are esteemed. But in the world to come, in many cases it will be the very opposite.

"So the last will be first, and the first last.
For many are called, but few chosen."
Matthew 20:16

How sobering! If you aspire to be among the first in this world - high in fame and fortune, you will be among the last in the world to come. But if you accept in all humility the circumstances in which God has placed you in this world, you will be among the first in his Kingdom.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
but made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross…"
Philippians 2:5-11

Let this mind be in you.