To Say The Least!

A lot of talk and a lot of focus when not kept properly centered can ultimately lead us (and others we might be reaching out to) far away from where we ought to be. As Paul wrote to admonish and exhort the church at Corinth, he attempted to steer their focus away from men. That focus on men and on themselves got in the way of the message of Christ, their unity, and the way in which they exercised their spiritual gifts. In the early part of Paul’s first letter he reminded them of how he first shared the message of Christ with them.

We read…
“(1) And I, when I came to you, brothers, 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) THAT YOUR FAITH MIGHT NOT REST IN THE WISDOM OF MEN BUT IN THE POWER OF GOD.” ( 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ESV)

Are we able to see what Paul most wanted to be focused upon? Someone has said, “Those witness best for Christ who say least about themselves.” [source: “sentence sermons”] Paul’s description of himself among the Corinthians did not sound very impressive. It wasn’t Paul he wanted the Corinthians drawn to, but rather Christ! It was Christ Who was crucified for the salvation of mankind, not Paul. ( 1 Corinthians 1:13) And the message did not depend upon Paul’s smoothness of speech, but the power of the truth itself. It was least of all about Paul and MORE ABOUT CHRIST! The least attention Paul drew to himself meant the MORE ATTENTION DRAWN TO THE LORD. This was a mark of Paul’s humble ministry as a servant of Christ.

Paul would later write…
“For what WE PROCLAIM IS NOT OURSELVES, BUT JESUS CHRIST as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” ( 2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV)

As we reach out to others are we telling too much of our story and not enough of our Lord’s? Helping others know how much Jesus has changed our life is good. However, it is Jesus Christ and the salvation found only in Him ( Acts 4:12) that we need to continue to tell the most! May we humbly accept our role as Christ’s servants who have been called to tell His glorious story. The hope of the world depends upon it!

Have a great day LOVING TO TELL HIS STORY!
Carl

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