Psalm 103-104 1 Corinthians 2

“My teaching and preaching were not with words of human wisdom that persuade people but with proof of the power that the Spirit gives. This was so that your faith would be in God’s power and not in human wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 2: 4-5 NCV)

There’s a contrast between what the world considers to be wisdom and godly wisdom. Human wisdom can persuade people to follow that point of view or engage in certain activities; godly wisdom comes with power to change us and mold us into the image of God. Paul had resolved to proclaim Jesus Christ and the crucifixion to the Corinthians, letting God work in them instead of seeking to persuade them by the magnificence of his words. The power for the Christian is found in Christ, in the cross, and in the resurrection. All these ideas are foolishness to the world at first glance. Our responsibility is to make them real to others by our proclamation and by our lives.

There are some who speak to churches, or large audiences in lecture halls who give great moral lectures that make sense to the world. They seem to show great wisdom, but they’re not grounded in the cross. Any reference to Christ is mere lip service. If the words make so much sense that they can be accepted by most people without an understanding of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, as wonderful and life changing as those words may be, they are not Christian proclamation. Our proclamation must always be with the proof of power that the Spirit gives. We seek not to gain people to follow us, but people to commit their lives to Christ. When people are persuaded to the right way of living, without having the power of the Spirit, they can be drawn back to the wrong way by an equally persuasive teacher. When people are truly changed by the Spirit and seek God every day, there’s an eternity long change in their lives. Our joy is that when we proclaim the gospel, people realize the greatness of God.

Oh Lord, may all that I say and all that I do lead people to the cross of Jesus. Let me share with others the amazing grace of Jesus and help experience His forgiveness and love.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved