“Base Your Faith On God’s Power, Not On Man’s Wisdom!”

“Base Your Faith On God’s Power, Not On Man’s Wisdom!”(I Cor. 2:1-5).
Welcome to Day three of Lent 2023.
A question that is raised from time to time by upstart theologians is, “Was it Jesus Christ who founded Christianity or it was Paul?” The question is not mere imagination, but rather from the complicated deep theological terminologies and logical arguments found in Paul’s letters. Meanwhile the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ is simple and plain; even though reflective of profound wisdom with the use of parables.
Paul was a great scholar, widely read and he studied under the renowned rabbis of his time. His writings fully demonstrates his scholsrship and wide range of knowledge.
How then do we match these words below to the rest of his works?
To the Corinthians and to us as third persons, he writes, “When I came to you…I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing …except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with the demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. “
Peter thinks differently when he considers that Paul writes “with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contains some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do with other Scriptures…”(II Pt.3:16).
We consider that Paul’s emphasis is that we should not present the gospel to others from the position of superior knowledge. The testimony about God that we proclaim should come with a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.
The experience of your encounter with Christ through the Holy Spirit should be the force that propels you to proclaim the gospel convincingly!
And dear friend, you who hear the message should not rest your faith on man’s wisdom. Rather, base your faith on God’s power!
The message is about Christ crucified and risen to save humanity. All other stories are only intended to make this Great Story clearer!
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit, in this season of Lent help me to resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ crucified for my sake. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.