Don't Doubt the Power of the Gospel (1 Corrinthians 1:18-21)

 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:18-21 NAS95).

Don’t doubt the power of the Gospel. I have sat in meetings and heard men speculate that the Gospel is just not effective in our day and age. “We need a new method,” they would say, or “We need to use drama in our worship services.” Have they not read the subject passage? The world, through its wisdom, did not come to know God.

Paul had just said that Christ sent him to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void (1 Corinthians 1:17). Why is it that we might fall into this condition of doubt and distrust?

Would you consider the possibility that it comes down to a man-centered theology? What does that look like? First, having a focus on success. If we don’t see what we believe is enough people being saved, we find fault in our methods. Second, because we don’t find success, we think God has stopped saving people in our geographic area. That is ridiculous. You got saved, right? No, the problem is our focus.

Measure your success by your obedience. God has His elect, and He will save them through the Gospel message. Pray for results. Beg God for results, but find your joy in obediently sharing your faith with those who are perishing.

When they had called the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ (Acts 5:40b-42 KJV).

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!