He Seeks

For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. - 1 Corinthians 1:22-23

Many years ago churches began to consider what it might mean to be "seeker-sensitive" or "seeker-oriented." The two main trail-blazers even sparked denominations of sorts that continue to flourish. While there have been many detractors (perhaps more supporters), I am one who believes that these churches and leaders understood the biblical truth that "no man seeks God," but merely sought ways to present His truth to those who were "seeking" answers to life's deepest questions. Of course, I also happen to think that some have taken things too far.

Paul knew something of "seekers" and even suggested how they might be approached. The Apostle to the Gentiles said that the Jewish seekers wanted signs (visible manifestations of God's power), but not God. He also said that the Greek seekers wanted wisdom (intellectual insight into life and philosophy), but not God. His answer to what they sought was to give them neither sign nor wisdom, but rather to preach Christ crucified, foolishness to one and a stumbling block to the other.

Let's just preach Christ, crucified, buried, and now alive! For once you have proclaimed this Christ, Jesus you can stand back and watch Him do the seeking.

God walls the sea with sand. God clears the air with storms. God warms the earth with snow. He exalts us to heaven by the stumbling-block of the cross. - Christopher Wordsworth