Nothing But Christ Crucified

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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV)

And I, when I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Devotion:

            In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Paul speaks to us with a humility that pierces the heart, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.” Paul’s approach was not with grandeur or eloquence, but with a simple, profound truth: the testimony of God.

He continues, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Paul’s message is focused solely on the crucified Christ. It doesn’t rely on human wisdom but on the power of God. In a world that often values complexity and sophistication, Paul reminds us that the core of our faith is the simple yet profound truth of the Gospel.

“And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,” Paul admits his own frailty, yet it is through this vulnerability that God’s strength is made perfect. Our faith does not rest on men's wisdom but on God's power. It’s a divine power that shines through our weaknesses, illuminating the path to salvation.

Paul’s words encourage us to embrace our limitations, knowing that they are the very places where God’s power is most evident. We are reminded that our faith is not built on human abilities but on the foundation of Christ’s sacrifice.

As we reflect on this passage, let us find comfort in the simplicity of the Gospel. Let us hold fast to the message of Christ crucified, allowing it to be the cornerstone of our faith. May we always remember that it is not our strength that upholds us but the power of God working within us.

Prayer:

            Heavenly Father, teach us to rely on your power through the Holy Spirit. May we, in humility, realize that we cannot live a life according to your word. Thank you for sending your Spirit to strengthen and encourage us to live lives reflecting the goodness, mercy, and love we are called to do. Amen.

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