Mind Made Up!

Paul was an Apostle. He could have made much of his ministry, and he did for the sake of Christ, but not for himself. His success in impacting so many lives toward following Christ seems to have been his RESOLVE to keep Christ as the focal point of his life and teaching. Paul was even willing to set aside rights he could have exercised as an apostle and a teacher. (note 1 Corinthians 9:4-12, especially vs.12) Instead, he had MADE UP HIS MIND to direct the focus away from himself to keep it squarely on Christ.

In writing to the church at Corinth Paul stated. . .
"(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)

Paul had MADE UP HIS MIND! The DECISION HAD BEEN MADE! It was the message of the crucified Christ he desired others to respond to rather than smooth talk or clever arguments. It was the simple truth of Jesus and the significance of what He accomplished on the cross that needed to be responded to and that is what Paul had MADE UP HIS MIND to keep before his listeners. It was not a "Paul following" (note 1 Corinthians 1:13), but rather a following of Christ he sought to instill in the hearts of those he taught.

The message of the crucified Christ and how it relates to dealing with sin and the hope of eternal life is still the needed message today. Has the DECISION BEEN MADE to make that the central focus of our life as well? May our STEADFAST RESOLVE be to follow Christ and proclaim Christ in such a manner that He receives the following He deserves and in which humanity needs to be involved.

Have a great day HAVING DECIDED TO FOLLOW AND PROCLAIM THE CHRIST!
Carl

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