“Christ Is Our Wisdom From God!”

“Christ Is Our Wisdom From God!”(I Cor.1:26-31).
The Apostles were either ordinary fishermen or despised tax collectors. Since then to the present times the great princes of the church were once ordinary people who were raised from grass to grace.
In Africa most of the first converts were serfs and slaves of the nobility. In those early days Africans who became catechists were “the village never do well!”
Upon completion of primary education the bright ones were earmarked for the teaching profession and the less intelligent ones were recommended to enter the catechist training institutes. For example, Jeremiah Chi Kangsen a very intelligent pupil embarrassed even his missionary head teacher when he decided to become a catechist instead of the coveted teaching proffession.
On the whole the benefits of the missionary enterprise in Africa cannot be gainsaid. They opened the first schools which became the gateway for the creation of a new breed of African elites. All these, thanks to Jesus Christ.
We agree with E. Bolaji Idowu who said Jesus Christ brought demonstrable salvation to the Africans before salvation from sin. Some may say it was the tactic of the carrot and the cane. Whichever way we see it, we must be thankful for the missionary enterprise, for the presence of Christianity on the continent which by extension is because of Jesus Christ.
Paul’s words to the proud and boastful Corinthian converts speaks with double force to us African Christians.“…think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption…”
My friend, whatever we have become is on the basis of God’s goodness.“The Lord…humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes…It is not by strength that one prevails…”(I Sam.2:1-10).
What God has done (and is still doing) for us as a continent, as a people and as individuals should humble us. But if we must boast, let us boast in the Lord, for without him we are nothing!
Weekend prayer: Lord Jesus Christ thank you that through you the Father has taken me from nothing to something. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev. Babila Fochang.