"For Christ did not send me [Paul] 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. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles" - 1 Corinthians 1:17-23
At the church we are attending the pastor has been preaching on the Lord's prayer for a number of weeks. Speaking upwards to 40 minutes on each verse. The prayer on the surface is simple but there is a spiritual depth and application to the Christian life and perspective that is expansive. That is the same with the message of salvation. So simple that many think that there must be more to it. I mean after all do you mean to say that just a few words can have eternal consequences?
"But what does it [the Word of God] say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." - Romans 10:8-10
That is so simple - yet for many the simplicity is a stumbling block. I mean, nothing in this life that is of any importance is simple - right? When you share the Gospel with people there is something greater at work than the words that you speak. Although what you say is an eternal truth and THE mystery of the ages. That something is the working of the Spirit of God in the heart of the hearer. I do not know how many times I heard the Gospel, by very well-intentioned people. But the words rolled off like the proverbial water off of a duck's back. But then one day, my heart was quickened and I understood the truth of the Gospel - I believed in my heart. It was the work of the Spirit. Do you remember Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John chapter 3?
"Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?" - John 3:3-10
Spiritual truth cannot be understood through the wisdom of the world. People might understand the words in their minds, but it is only with the transformed heart that we can understand God's truth and recognize the Truth who is Jesus. The One Nicodemus was looking for was the One he was talking to.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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