I Corinthians 1:17,18
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made of no effect. For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
One of the miracles of God is that He has implanted His heart into His children. When I read this my heart leaps. I love how God uses the ordinary and speaks at that level.
God opposes the proud. God has gifted many. He wants them to submit themselves and their gifts to Him. He loves them, wants a relationship with them and to use them. Paul is in this category. He was at the top of his class, he had the most impressive mentors and so on. However, he was knocked of his horse and met the Lord. Jesus taught Him. He learned that he was the chief of sinners. He learned that if he leaned on his great gifting and intelligence, this would interfere with God’s empowering.
This gives hope to us who are ordinary. We are right where God wants us. We don’t have to worry that the gifted will look down on us. They may, but we aren’t to worry about that. If they do, then they fit Paul’s description of the perishing. They aren’t open to God or His message. We are to dust off our feet and move on.
We are told to speak when the opportunity arises. Don’t worry if it doesn’t come out brilliantly. God uses the little offerings we give. Like the widow’s mite. He appreciates what we give. He will use it to penetrate their hearts and draw them to Himself.
We are to be careful that we don’t glory in being used by Him. Yes, it’s amazing, but it’s not our gifting. We have to admit with Paul that we aren’t worthy. It’s Him. I was in a group last week. It’s one in which it’s difficult to get in a word. I got in two comments and God blessed them. I walked out of there floating on a cloud. That’s fine as long as we know where it came from.
I do know God seeks to bless us. David said in Psalm 23, “You preparest a table for me in the presence of my enemies”. It’s as if He has an honor banquet for us. However, know the author of this. It’s Him and His power. He wants to bless us and make us feel good. Just know that it’s Him.
We aren’t to share the gospel with cleverness of speech. That doesn’t mean we aren’t to do our best. But if it comes from pride or self dependence, then God doesn’t want to be part of that. We are to do our best, knowing that He is with us.
The other end of the spectrum is to be sloppy or uncaring. Just because we aren’t to be clever in a self dependent way, that doesn’t mean we aren’t to care and be sloppy. We are to do our best, knowing that it’s from Him.
This should take away fear. We know He will empower us when sharing. We don’t have to be intimidated when we are sharing with those who we see as stronger or more gifted than us. We aren’t to fear men. It shouldn’t rattle us share with the more powerful. God loves us and will empower us.
Jesus was our model when it comes to this. We are told that He wasn’t much to look at. We also know that He was raised in a questionable neighborhood. He was born in a manger. God intentionally did this to relate to the lesser. He’s amazing.
Thank You, Lord, that You use us to share Your message. It’s a privilege. How amazing. The God of the universe seeks to work through us. We don’t have to worry about class or being accepted. We are loved by Him. We don’t have to worry, but to share in obedience.