This morning, the first nine chapters of 1 Corinthians have been sharper than a sword. In these nine chapters, I have been doused with cold water. It is a wake-up call. What am I doing here? Why am I on Earth? Why am I in this house, in this city, in this job, in this church? To preach the gospel.
"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 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 scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath God not made foolish the wisdom 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 ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and the 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."
Why have I been entrusted with the mysteries of God? For some reason, it pleased God to save me. Because of this, I am made a steward of the most precious thing in the universe- the gospel of Christ. I must be found faithful!
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
Oh, I am so convicted of my laziness, of my playing around, of my excuses.
I have been so unwilling to be seen as foolish. There has been so much filthy pride in me. Yes, I can talk about the gospel in church until my face is absolutely flushed with passion and excitement. I can type freely here on my little blog, knowing that it's a fairly safe place. And I can even claim to know Christ in public, to people whom I don't know as well. But to proclaim the gospel, to speak of the truth with such boldness that I care not how I appear to them? Well, that's not something I've been doing. I want people to think I'm wise. I want them to be proud to know me. I want to gain their approval and their friendship and their trust. And all the time, they are headed straight to death.
Oh, the wisdom of the world is foolishness! When will I see that? When will I live in that truth?
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And then again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours."
Paul did not care how he appeared to the world. He didn't care if he was rejected or despised. He only cared about this one thing- to please the Father!
'But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you…"
When I hear him pleading with the Corinthians to break out of their ease and comfort and to follow in his footsteps of suffering, I know he is pleading with me.
"Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we might also reign with you."
"For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; and labor, working with our own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we intreat; we are made as filth of the world, and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me."
Those apostles did not give up. They didn't just talk to a person about Christ once and then let it when they didn't receive the message. They were relentless about saving the dying. They saw things as they really were.
I can't talk about these things without mentioning the power of the God who has commissioned me and who goes before me. He has promised that through the foolishness of my preaching, some shall be saved. So why do I give up on the preaching when that promised hasn't been fulfilled?! He has also promised to give me incredible power- the power of Himself in me.
"And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power."
I'm ready to change. I'm scared that I can't do it. But of course I can't! Greater is He that is in me. I go to work in two hours. Oh, please, may I be a minister of the gospel, the glorious gospel!
Also, I read this wonderful message this morning. I found it on NRJ's blog; it's by Catherine Booth. If you are feeling the ache from complacency like I am, read it and let a little fire into your soul: Aggressive Christianity.