1 Corinthians 1:17-18: “ For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Paul’s mission in life, after his conversion, was to know nothing but Jesus Christ. He didn’t try to engage in grand and audacious arguments of persuasion but held strictly to the word of God. He states in 1 Cor. 2:4: “And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith may not rest in the wisdom of men.” Paul came speaking without any attempt to impress or dazzle with eloquence or intellect, and his passion was to preach the gospel plainly and without compromise. He spoke on an everyday level even though he was a highly educated man himself. His argument for the gospel begins with God the creator of all and ends with God, the judge of all. That’s pretty much it in a nutshell.
The Greeks and Romans, in Paul’s day, took pride in intellectual brilliantly worded pretentious rhetorical persuasions and were entertaining in their instructional speeches and human reasoning by their scholars and philosophers. Greeks did not believe in a bodily resurrection and thought no reputable person would be executed as a criminal. They did not look for the message of the cross because they found it too simple. The Jews demanded miraculous signs (1 Cor. 1:22), and when they were asked a question, they would answer with a question. They took pride in arguing, debating, appeared arrogant, and had supreme self-confidence. They thought the Messiah would be a conquering king, a descendant of David to come and establish the Kingdom of God on the earth. These Jews were not looking for the message of the cross either. They were looking for a miraculous Messianic deliverance.
The power of the gospel changes peoples hearts and lives. Nothing else can. No politician, or modern philosopher, can change our culture that worships power, wealth, and influence. Our relationship and union with Christ results in having God’s wisdom and knowledge which is wiser than human wisdom (1 Cor. 1:24). Skill and intelligence do not get us into God’s kingdom – only simple faith does. That is the wisest decision anyone can make.
When all is falling in on us at work, where should we go? Flee to Jesus and the message of the cross! It all goes back to doing the main thing is the main thing –faithfully and obediently following Jesus Christ. Luke 1:37 declares: “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Jesus gives direction and gives us hope. The solution to every problem, no matter who you are, is in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Lysa Terkahurst has said: “Being a steadfast leader is important. Yes, reading books on business and leadership is good – but the Word of God transforms lives. God saved my soul. Only the Word of God transforms lives. We must stay in the Word of God!.”
What have been your “But God” moments recently?
What verse or verses, has the Holy Spirit spoken just to you that have made an impression and given you insight and direction? Be sure to write them down when this occurs so you can review them over and over again to remind yourself of what He had said to you when you needed it the most and He will do it again.
Listen to Casting Crowns – Nobody featuring Matthew West (Visualizer Video). 3.27 minutes.