“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV)
When living in our own strength and “lofty speech,” as Paul puts it, it points people back to us. When we are owning our weakness and therefore dependence on Christ, God's power inherently points people back to Him. When Peter and John healed a lame man, and people stared in amazement, the apostles quickly redirected the credit to God. Peter asked, "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" (Acts 3:12)
When human power is displayed, it might impress people. But the gospel's call goes much deeper than mere admiration; it requires humility, amazement, and awe at a power from a divine source. Only God's power, revealed in us, can accomplish this. It liberates us from our weaknesses, equips us to do His will, strengthens us to become like Christ, and provides a powerful witness to those around us.
“’Not by [your] might nor by [your] power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6b)
-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry
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