For the message of the cross is foolishness 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;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe… For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and any (so-called) weakness of God is stronger than man’s (so-called) strength.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Someone recently asked me, “Do you want to go fast or far in ministry? If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Here’s the thing about human wisdom: initially, it can often sound deeply spiritual and profound, but Scripture always exposes it as foolishness and hollow philosophy. What the aforementioned question and statements have in common is that they are inextricably rooted in self - what I want - rather than what God wants. That mindset exposes both the tragic starting point and fateful destination of many today who claim a deep relationship with Christ Jesus and an impactful ministry with Him and for Him, because King Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Jesus exposed this lie in Matthew 7:21-23, saying, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’”
The Pharisees had the same misguided mindset. In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside, you appear to be righteous, but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
The story of The Tortoise and The Hare is attributed to Aesop, a storyteller (best known for his fables) from ancient Greece who lived around 600 BC. The moral of that story is slow and steady wins the race. While parallels might be drawn between this fable and Hebrews 12:1-13, such efforts are, at best, contrived. The focus, purpose, and point of any/all Scripture is never something as cursory as to inspire human morality nor as glib as to endorse a strong human work ethic. The focus, point, and purpose of all Scripture is twofold:
The revelation that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and no one comes to the Father but through Him (i.e. the eternal deity of Christ and His exclusivity as humanity's only Savior)
The one true God of Scripture alone is worthy of all creation's worship and adoration of Him.
Such revelation goes infinitely beyond human morality, ethics, and philosophy.
In Genesis 5:24 we read, “Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God had taken him away.” Enoch wasn’t concerned with how fast or far he was going, just who he was walking with.
In Genesis 6:9 we read, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.” Noah wasn’t concerned with how fast or far, or even how ludicrous the plan sounded, just who had given him instructions and who he was walking with.
In Genesis 17:1 we read, “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.’” And Abraham did. Abraham wasn’t concerned with how fast or far, or even how much it would cost to walk with God, just who commanded it, and who he was walking with.
In Malachi 2:6, referring to Levi the priest, we read, “True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.” Levi wasn’t concerned with how fast or far, just proclaiming the truth of who he was hearing from while walking with Him.
Exodus 33:11 states, “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Moses wasn’t concerned with how fast or far, just about spending time with God face to face, and leading as he walked with God.
At the end of Joshua 24:15, Joshua stated, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” Joshua wasn’t concerned with how fast or far, with community consensus or buy-in, just who he was serving and walking with.
1 Samuel 3:19 states, “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.” Samuel wasn’t concerned with how fast or far, just whose words he spoke and who he was walking with as he spoke them.
In 1 Samuel 13:14, Samuel, speaking of David, states, “...the LORD has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler of His people.” David wasn’t concerned with how fast, how far, the length of his reign, or what his legacy would be, just who anointed him and walking with Him.
In 2 Timothy 4:7, the Apostle Paul states, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul wasn’t concerned with the speed or distance of the race, but rather with how he ran it, and who he was running it with and for.
These are just a few examples from the Scriptures that reveal it’s neither about how fast nor how far we want to go, but instead about our desire to simply walk with God. If that’s our desire, then as Ephesians 2:10 reveals, God’s WORD refers to us as His divine workmanship, indeed His glorious masterpiece! “For we are His workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Whenever godly counsel isn’t presented in humility and overtly rooted in Scripture and comprehensive biblical doctrine & principles, then despite whatever “good intentions” are expressed, Scripture exposes it as earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.”
James 3:13-17
“Do you want to go fast or do you want to go far?” is the wrong question. The right question is this, “What does God want?” He desires that we would walk together as His masterpiece with Christ Jesus -IN- the good works God prepared for us beforehand.
Fast, Far, or In? You get to decide.
Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
You can hear Pastor Kevin’s sermons and messages >HERE<
You can get a copy of Kevin’s children’s book, UNSTOPPABLE! >HERE<
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