For [simply] consider your own call, brethren; not many [of you were considered to be] wise according to human estimates and standards, not many influential and powerful, not many of high and noble birth. 27[No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame. 28 And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are, 29 So that no mortal man should [have pretense for glorying and] boast in the presence of God. 30 But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin]. 31 So then, as it is written, Let him who boasts and proudly rejoices and glories, boast and proudly rejoice and glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 AMP
In the world, in secular realms, there is a great emphasis placed on talents, abilities, knowledge, learning, money, influence, power, and noble birth. That is because they rely exclusively on their own ability in every sphere of their lives. This causes them to be respecters of persons, rejecting those they deem inferior or unacceptable. God, however, is not a respecter of persons – He will use anyone who is willing and available.
And Peter opened his mouth and said: Most certainly and thoroughly I now perceive and understand that God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons, 35 But in every nation he who venerates and has a reverential fear for God, treating Him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly, is acceptable to Him and sure of being received and welcomed [by Him]. Acts 10:34-35 AMP
Humility is a quality not especially valued or esteemed in the world’s system, but it is highly valued in the kingdom of God. That is because a humble person does not find it difficult to yield to the Lord and can therefore be used by Him to the fullest extent possible. God deliberately chooses to use those who are foolish, weak, lowborn, and insignificant in the world’s eyes so that only His power can be seen and displayed; so that only He can be recognized and glorified.
Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 AMP
A beggar who had been crippled from birth was healed by the power of God through Peter and John, who proceeded to preach the gospel to the amazed crowd. When the Sadducees pulled them in for questioning, they were amazed at their demeanor and the power of their witness. They realized that they did not have the education, the ability or the power to do a miracle or to speak so eloquently. They marveled and recognized that they had been with Jesus. So God was glorified in their midst even though they refused to change their mind and acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
As for myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God [concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men] in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom; 2 For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified. 3 And I was in (passed into a state of) weakness and fear (dread) and great trembling [after I had come] among you. 4 And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them], 5 So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 AMP
Many preachers think that they need to preach in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom in order to be effective, but God does not want anyone’s faith to rest in the wisdom of men or in human philosophy, but in the power of God. The Lord wants you rather to be totally yielded to and dependant upon Him, He wants you to be personally acquainted with Jesus, and He wants to anoint you with His power, so that you can demonstrate His Holy Spirit and power as a sign and a wonder and a witness to the world!
