1 Corinthians 2:1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God (NIV).

Do you ever hesitate to share the gospel with someone because you don’t think you will know what to say or how to say it? When we think that bringing someone to faith depends on our own human wisdom and our ability to make crafty arguments or decorated statements, it will be discouraging. It can be easy to fall into the delusion that people can be argued into believing. However, God’s word and wisdom alone create faith and convert the sinful heart apart from human wisdom.

In his ministry Paul always strove to preach the wisdom of God rather than depending on his own wisdom and allure. He did not gain converts by well-reasoned arguments as did the skillful philosophers of the day, nor did he depend on an attractive appearance to draw people to himself. In fact, Paul was not all that eloquent and attractive by human standards; he came to Corinth “in weakness and fear” (2:3). Yet how was this church at Corinth formed? The source of Paul’s powerful message lay not in him, but in the testimony about God.

Paul’s message to the Corinthians and to all people was nothing other than “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (2: 2). This message was God’s power and God’s wisdom. It was a wisdom that didn’t even make sense according to human reason. The simple gospel message that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and our only Savior from sin is the very same message that the Holy Spirit uses to convert the heart of any person, even the very wise.

Is this message that Paul used long ago any different today? Of course not. The gospel of Jesus is the only means that God ever uses to save sinners. Just as Paul trusted in God’s wisdom rather than his own reasoning or any human wisdom, so we too depend on God’s wisdom to bring people to faith. What a tremendous comfort it can be for us when we rely on God’s Word and God’s power to work faith in people’s hearts. The gospel that we know so well is the same gospel we can speak to others. Sharing the gospel with someone is nothing other than telling that person of God’s love and what Jesus has done to save us. Do you know the Christmas and Easter messages, Sunday school stories, or God’s Great Exchange? These are God’s wisdom and the very same testimony Paul used.

When we have an opportunity to share the gospel, let us simply speak the basic message of Jesus, trusting in his powerful words. Let us take comfort in the fact that our wisdom and eloquence do not work faith. We can do nothing more than to share God’s grace; God alone is the one who creates faith and converts hearts through his gospel. May we boldly proclaim the gospel, trusting not in our own wisdom, but in God’s power.

Dear Lord, we thank you for your wisdom found in your saving gospel. Help us to boldly share it with others when we grow timid. Bless your message which we proclaim and bring people to faith through it. Amen.

Joel Naumann is a SPaM Senior

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