Here is the very truth of God for us to see. The message of the cross, the message of life, of mercy, of hope, this message is seen as foolish by those who need it most. To those who are perishing, the truth that would save them seems a joke, and we are often tempted to look down on them for not understanding what is so very plain. But the truth is that we who see, we who understand, we who possess the truth, only see because God has opened our eyes, and we once despised His truth ourselves. The truth is that we don't naturally have the ability to grasp what God has said. We do not even have the ability to HEAR what God has said until He opens our ears, our eyes, our minds, our hearts. We are trapped in the deafness and the deadness of our flesh until God calls us to life. For God refuses to share His glory with another. He will not allow us to boast as if we were able to DO anything. Beloved, be sure of this; if you love God, He loved you first and gave you the heart that cried for mercy! He showed you the glory of the cross, because until He does that, it is foolishness in your eyes!! Give Him praise for His abundant mercy!!