1 Corinthians 2:1-5
And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Reflection
There is an entire industry devoted to aftermarket performance parts for cars. You might buy a big spoiler to make your car look faster and maybe a new exhaust to make it even sound faster. But in the end, no matter how persuasive it looks or sounds, your car isn’t really faster at all. Paul challenges us to consider what we depend on as we minister. We don’t need fancy words, convincing arguments or specific personalities, but we have access to real power. We can know our crucified and risen Lord. We can live each day full of purpose and free of distractions, seeking to respond to God’s great love by loving Him and loving others. And seeing faith springing forth in others as a result of His power in their lives. This is the real power that we depend on as we minister and love this generation.
Response
Let’s pray that our faith will not rest on human wisdom but on God’s power. Let’s come to the cross once again with all of our worldly notions and dependences and confess that its all about Christ alone. May we resolve to know and depend on nothing else but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Let’s ask for the Spirit’s power as we minister to others and for hearts to be softened and turned to the Lord.
