Good morning. Today’s Bible verses are 1 Corinthians 2:4,5: “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
Take a few minutes and read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. As Paul recounts his initial meeting with the Corinthians, he emphasizes that his message was not according to the wisdom of man but of the gospel of grace, which is the power of God unto salvation. Paul came to the people of Corinth with sincerity and love. His desire was to tell them of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified for sin and raised bodily for the justification of all who believe. The Corinthians to whom Paul spoke were a people steeped in paganism, sensuality, and human philosophy. Sound familiar?
Dear brothers and sisters, we live in a time reminiscent of the era when Paul first proclaimed the gospel of grace. The world has not changed much. The sinful heart of mankind continues to rebel against the Creator God of the universe. We witness the rise of false religions and the merging of worldly philosophies, environmentalism, hedonism, and narcissism with biblical teaching, which dulls and obscures the message of salvation and sanctification.
Many so-called “Christian” leaders believe in adapting their message to be more popular, prioritizing form and function over the simple truth of the gospel of grace. To avoid offending anyone, they soften their teachings, blending in human wisdom, aiming to entertain and attract a wider audience seeking comfort and consolation to assuage their guilty conscience. Often, they dilute the gospel of grace, which is the true power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16:17).
While using modern tools is acceptable, we must not let them overshadow and obscure the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Paul serves as an example, reminding us that only the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified holds the true power for salvation and sanctification. Always evaluate a teacher's actions, attitudes, and words against Paul's example: Is their focus on the gospel of grace through God's power, or does it depend on presentation and human ability?
Reflection: How discerning are you when you listen to a podcast or watch a YouTube video?
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 1 Co 2:4–5.