Feb 16

But if Paul is determined from the first not to rely upon his own or any other human wisdom when proclaiming the testimony about God, then upon what does he rely? He answers this crucial question for us in the second verse of 1 Cor. 2:

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

It is not enough even to refuse to trust human wisdom when proclaiming the gospel: It must be the true gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified. This is an important point. Many religions other than Christianity actually have nothing against Jesus, and even revere him as a great prophet or teacher of God. But they will not accept his crucifixion. The world flocks to teachers of religion and philosophy. But a crucified God does not fit into its own ideas of what God should be like.

Paul could have joined in with this popular teaching about God and his nature, but he did not. He was determined, "resolved", not to give in to untruth but to preach the truth about God: that he has come to this world in human form and there gave up his life to save the world. Paul preaches nothing "except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

What is your message to others about Christ? Do you portray him only as the gentle baby in the manger, or do you proclaim the harsh truth about his crucifixion?

Scripture for today: 1 Cor. 2:2; 1 Cor. 1:24
Thought for today: A Christ without the crucifixion is a powerless Christ. But with the cross, it is the power of God.
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, release the power of your crucifixion in my life.

FEB 16