(Lesson 451)(11-09-12) 1 Corinthians 2:1-8, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
This lesson is a furtherance of yesterday's. Herein, Paul acknowledges that he knew nothing about most of the people to whom he preached. Knowledge of their heritage and traditions were of no use to his ultimate purpose. That purpose being to preach the mystery of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified. He preached in constant fear for his life, relying totally on faith in God to keep his message truthful, and his body safe.
Paul also makes it clear that he, nor any other human being, could ever know the mind of God, or His reason for the process of redemption which He began before the creation of man. Paul only knew that he was to preach the words of eternal salvation that were fed to his mind by, and through, the Holy Ghost, "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.".
What a wonderful world this would be today if only all of those who profess to be preachers would follow closely in the footsteps of Paul, taking their own massive egos out of the equation and preaching only those words whispered in their ears by the Holy Spirit of God. What a beautifully simple message, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Thank God there are still a few who do.~
Paul also makes it clear that he, nor any other human being, could ever know the mind of God, or His reason for the process of redemption which He began before the creation of man. Paul only knew that he was to preach the words of eternal salvation that were fed to his mind by, and through, the Holy Ghost, "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.".
What a wonderful world this would be today if only all of those who profess to be preachers would follow closely in the footsteps of Paul, taking their own massive egos out of the equation and preaching only those words whispered in their ears by the Holy Spirit of God. What a beautifully simple message, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Thank God there are still a few who do.~
No comments:
Post a Comment