In order to explain to the Corinthians why things seemed to be so “out of round” as far as the world’s view of God’s selection process, Paul pointed out to them: “God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, yes, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are; that no flesh should glory before God” (1 Cor. 1:27-29).

All of this sounds crazy to some people. Why would God do such a thing, they ask. It all sounds so counter-intuitive, so illogical, so (dare we say it) unreasonable. And of course from a human, earthly perspective it is all of this and much more besides. The mind of man reasons that God ought to use all those things that draw men to anything. After all, many of the ancient religions were wildly fanatical and as a consequence they were wildly successful with people who were drawn to that sort of thing. Debauchery and drunkenness made their assemblies into wild parties punctuated by excesses of all kinds. Some of the ancient religious sects were given over to eroticism and open sexuality. Their ranks also were full to the brim with people, both men and women, who fancied sex as the way to God. The most popular of the cults at the time Paul wrote these Christians were motivated by blood-lust. They found huge numbers of soldiers and others drawn to their secretive ways. Why did not God choose one of these tried-and-proven strategies for getting people into the door?

Perhaps it is because God has never really been about numbers and getting more people into the door. Fleshly appeal is not God’s way. It never has been. If it had been he would have used one of these wildly successful means to bring the crowds into the door. Instead, God operated on principle and on a basis that was consistent with his nature and his overall purpose. Paul explains further in this case that the Lord used the gospel message as the drawing power to “bring them in”: he used the “foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (v. 21).

Well, someone will say, that does not have much appeal to many people. It will never motivate them to follow Jesus and become members of his church. Hence, they will never go to heaven. No doubt this is so, but we have to look at this thing from God’s perspective. Remember who is doing the choosing. The text says, “God chose.”

God was using his wisdom to bring about this result. He wanted to people heaven with a certain type of folk. They are not the type who are drawn by debauchery, excess, eroticism, sexuality, blood-lust, or anything of that sort. He wanted the kind of people who see his unrivalled wisdom in the cross of Christ, the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, the doctrines of the Bible, and the preaching of the gospel. That is the kind of folks he wants in his heaven.

And we must remember that it is his heaven so it is his choice. But this also confronts us with a clear message. And it is this: We must see to it that we are the sort of people whom God wants to be with him in his heaven. That part is our choice. We have no choice about what we must utilize to appeal to people and to try to “draw them in.” God already decided that.

It is our job quite simply to preach the message of the gospel, to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love. It is up to the hearer to decide whether this appeals to him\her or not. To many it may be repellant. That is entirely up to them. But everyone who hears it must know that this is all God is ever going to offer on his part. He has no other plan. It is Jesus or no one. It is the cross or nothing. It is the gospel or damnation. If these do not draw us, then God will make no other appeal. Let us make of ourselves the kind of people whom God wants in his heaven. That is our choice, so let us choose wisely!