For The Kingdom Of God Is Not In Word But In Power - Part 2514

"Grace [be] unto you and peace from God our Father and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing ye are enriched in Him -- in all utterance, and in all knowledge -- even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (I Corinthians 1:3-9)

As background, apostle Paul is writing unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. In this same chapter, Paul is instructing the brethren to all speak the same thing, in one accord, and that there shall be no divisions among you ... but rather, "that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (I Corinthians 1:10)

In other words, in one accord as it was on the day of Pentecost when the first 3,000 souls repented and water baptized in the precious, holy name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 2:36-41)

Why is this important? Because Christ is not divided. His cross wherein He shed His precious, holy blood for you and I remains the entry point into salvation -- even to this day.

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the disputer of this world?

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God ... because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

How can this be, you ask?

"For God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (I Corinthians 1:18-31)

And apostle Paul should know, for Christ sent him into the world, receiving his understanding by revelation -- "to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." (I Corinthians 1:17)

Similarly, as Paul confirms later, "when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech, or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God, for I determined not to know any thing among you -- save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (I Corinthians 2:1)

This is why (as apostle Paul admits) his speech and preaching is not with enticing words of man's wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power -- that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but rather in the power of God. In this we can all take hope -- knowing that our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought; but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom] which God ordained before the world unto our glory -- which none of the princes of this world knew, for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (I Corinthians 2:7-8)

But as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him!" (I Corinthians 2:9)

Ponder these truths this day. Stand in the offering plate.