An Important Lesson

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh (according to their own estimation), not many mighty (not many great, or learned), not many noble (for the noble and the great usually trust too much in themselves and are not ready to accept the Lord’s way), are called (When the lists shall be proclaimed, the names of many who have been greatly honored and esteemed amongst men and who many expected to be honored of the Lord may be found missing).

But God has chosen the foolish things (those not so noted for worldly wisdom or influence in) the world to put to shame the wise (the worldly-wise, the prominent and influential ones of the world and the professing Church, no! rather), God has chosen the weak things of the world (those who in humility realize their own true lack of wisdom and seek it from the Lord Himself—through his word. These he has chosen) to put to shame the things which are mighty (the learned in worldly wisdom, taught in the great schools of men, seminaries and etc., but rather) the base things of the world (the meek, the humble, those poor in spirit), and the things which are despised (neither popular nor accepted by the world or orthodoxy, the professed church) God has chosen, and the things which are not (that is those things considered nothing by men), to bring to nothing the things that are (or which like to think they are), that no flesh should glory in His presence. (God has arranged his plans thus that he might hinder human pride and vainglory; the very thing so many are disposed to cultivate).” (1 Cor 1:26-29)

Here it is evident that the Lord’s ways are not our ways, the world’s way. We would naturally suppose that the best candidate for any position whether in the world or in the Church would be the one best qualified. In respects to the Church, we would generally choose the most educated, possibly someone who has attended seminary, someone well-liked and respected by the brethren, one who could articulate and speak proficiently, a good orator.

But alas this is not the Lord’s way.

His way is completely opposite of ours. He does not look for the most educated as these have generally been filled with worldly wisdom, taught by seminaries and synods, the great schools of men. Nor does he look for the more popular or well-respected ones amongst the professing Church as these tend to be a bit to heady (i.e., thinking too highly of themselves), not to mention that their popularity generally stems from their being in complete compliance with the general teachings and doctrines of orthodoxy (The world loves its own). Thus, as the Apostle states, they are generally found speaking with “great swelling words of vanity”. (2 Pet 2:18) instead of with the truth of God’s word.

Brother Shallieu sums it up thusly:

“Although it is true that some very faithful Christians have been great orators, their number is extremely small, for there are not many like David or Moses. Paul lacked appearance, personality, and oration, but he had GREAT logic in speaking and writing. We should weigh the content of the message rather than the (individual or) manner of delivery and not be swayed by oration for oration’s sake or by personalities.”

Very few of the Lord’s true followers have been great orators, but rather with “stammering lips” (Isa 28:11), and with humility less they bring any dishonor to the Lord they have spoken. Those whom the Lord chooses to speak his truth are chiefly the common people, and in the eyes of the world and the worldly church not qualified to speak.

So why is this lesson important to us?

The reason we bring this up is that not having learned this lesson many in the professing church who are seeking after truth have been dissuaded from seeking any truth outside the realms of the professing church outside of orthodoxy. They have been taught that unless one has attended one of the great schools of men, they cannot possibly understand the scriptures, the truth, nor are they qualified to preach the Word. Only such as toe the line and are in harmony with the doctrines and teachings of orthodoxy are permitted to teach. Those who attempt to teach anything contrary to the orthodox doctrine are branded as heretics, apostates, false teachers and as such are to be avoided.

But are any of these outside sources to be trusted?

We will address this question in our next post.