2 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
6 Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. 7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Tori's Comments:
"forget everything except Jesus Christ" (vs. 2) I have had this mindset a couple of times, but I think I should strive for it more often.
I think when faced with the idea of evangelism we want to leave it to preachers or missionaries because we assume they would "know what to say". But Paul says it differently. We are called to witness to others through our lives, and I can't let fear contain me when Scripture clearly says that it is all God.
Terrie's Comments:
"And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God."
I have heard many ways, read a few books, heard people talk about how to evangelize but what would happen if I simply remembered to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than trying to use clever and persuasive speeches or human wisdom?
Then in verses 6-7 it goes onto talk about talking among mature believers. We are not to talk using wisdom that makes sense to the world but in Heavenly wisdom that is based in Jesus Christ. How often do we talk like the world talks, or reason like the world tries to reason within the walls of our homes or our churches? How should our talk differ from the world?
I would rather look foolish to humans than be proven to be foolish by God in the end!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Paul seems to want to get across that it's essential to first get back-to-basics . In some churches today I have witnessed the entertainment and elaborate surroundings taking away from the heart of the message and Christ hard to find among it. Leaving hungry and in spiritual want, this passage resonates with me. I am so thankful for the bare bones of it and being able to add more "meat"(wisdom) so to speak as I grow and mature in Christ.
ReplyDeleteI think that the message of Jesus Christ needs to be presented the way it is... plain and simple. It is uncomplicated and doesn't need clever or persuasive speeches to make it "better"
ReplyDeleteIf we are led by the Holy Spirit He will lead us to do and say and run our churches the way they need to be to present the gospel in a way that people need to hear it.
Terrie