I was delighted when I saw the picture that J. Whalen posted on facebook today. Why? Because I awoke today asking myself the question; "Am I a deplorable", that's why!! Obviously, to call someone one of "Trump's Deplorables"was meant as an insult; a "put down" and an effort to identify someone of the lower class. But, as I think about the definition from the picture- I think it is something worthwhile, a compliment!!!
These things are really nothing new, are they? The vast majority of early Christians were looked down upon in a way that far exceeded anything we could imagine today. In his first letter to the Corinthian Christians, the apostle Paul says...
1 Corinthians, Chapter 1 (World English Bible)
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, 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. I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe. 22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God; 25 because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe. 22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God; 25 because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don’t exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist, 29 that no flesh should boast before God. 30 Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: 31 that, as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” (Emp. added, GDR)
One of the benefits of growing older is that there is time to reflect upon one's life, to consider what was good and not so good; to analyze both successes and failures. After much soul searching, I have come to the conclusion that I have nothing to boast about- I am a completely normal person. In fact, the only times in my life that I can honestly say that I really accomplished something would be when I could see God working in my life. And, you know, that is completely "normal" for a Christian.
Verse 31 is in there for a reason- IT IS "NORMAL" FOR THOSE WHO ARE CHRISTIANS!!!
31 that, as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”