Today's nugget of truth is taken from I Corinthians 2:1-5. In this text, Paul is explaining how we are to be when dealing with those we are trying to help. Far too often we limit God because of tendency to rely upon our natural skill, abilities, and thoughts.
When working for the Kingdom, it is important to realize that the Power to convince and convert comes from His Spirit and not from our abilities. The end result is a person with their faith and devotion centered in Christ(verse 5) which leads a person to truly being grounded. If they are persuaded by our personality or words this will lead to their divided kingdoom. (Mark 3:35).
Salvation has always been and will always be about men wholly worshipping God in Spirit and in truth. It is not about men worshipping other men. It isn't about your abilities or lack thereof. It isn't about what you know about God and the finer points of His doctrine. Paul simply states that it is about Jesus Christ and His crucifixion.
Truly, sometimes less is more and more is less.
I don't know if this is out of sync with what you were saying...but kind of going along the line of our tendency to rely on our natural skill, abilities, and thoughts--I know for me, I am a shy person at heart (meaning I am trying to get out of my shell) I have a hard time reaching out/witnessing to others because of my insecurity or....in-confidence in myself, especially in speaking. But recently I found this Scripture while I was looking for some help in the Bible on how to reach out to others and such like. Matthew 10:19-20 "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." In this actual text, I think Jesus was actually speaking of when his disciples would be brought before kings and rulers, that they'd be given words to speak...but it was an encouragement to me, that God would help me when I go and witness to others for him--in His timing, and with full reliance on Him...is this out of line?
ReplyDelete~Okiegal
I think it not out of line, nor drastically out of context. They were brought before others so that they might have opportunity to share the truth of the gospel. In like manner, we are brought before folks daily so that we can have opportunity to bring forth this same truth. EPH 6:19 is a good way to pray.
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