I Am Weak and Foolish

Did not read my scripture this morning. In fact, I don't believe I read it yesterday, either.

Been paging through the New Testament looking for a specific verse which has troubled my mind since I first read it back in the 1970s. Hadn't been able to find it, even using Strong's Concordance. Found it. At last. I was beginning to think I was remembering something that wasn't there. But here it is:

James (chapter three) Revised Standard Version

[1] Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.

[2] For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

The reason I couldn't find it is because my Strong's Concordance is based on the King James Version, which I do not regularly read. I do read the New King James Version, but that has been modernized, too. This is how it reads in the King James Version.

[1] My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall received the greater condemnation.

[2] For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

By speaking out publicly, I make myself to be a teacher, and thus bring myself under the "stricture judgment", and "greater condemnation".

This bothers me. Often. But I so want people to know that God loves them. That God forgives them. That God wishes to talk and live with them.

To hear many television preachers these days one would get the impression that God insists on significant life changes in order to receive his love and forgiveness. But this just is not so.

Romans (chapter five) New King James Version

[5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

[6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

[8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

[9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

And here it is in the King James Version.

[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

[9] Much more than, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

It bothers me that I am not a stalwart of faith. I am not someone to whom others can look and say, "I wish I were at least like him." No. Anyone who aspires to be like me has low aspirations indeed. My consolation comes from 1 Corinthians.

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 cleverness of the clever I will thwart." Where is the wise man? 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 pwoer of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than me. For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in th epresence of God. He is teh source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Revised Standard Version