Equal in sin

1 Corinthians 1:17

17

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

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Sincerity is a sign of devotion. The letters of Paul are letters that reveal the times of a man who was truly sent out to spread the gospel of Christ. He was not finding ways to entice people's intellect. He was not finding ways to impassion people. He was sincerely hungry to clearly set the truth out before people.

Paul had at his disposal a lifetime as a Pharisee. He was well known and well respected, he was given authority to act on behalf of the Temple. But all of that background only served as a foundation for what came upon him by Christ Jesus. Yes, his knowledge of the Law was used when speaking to Jews in different regions, but for the Gentiles, he set that prominence aside, and became equal to them, so they could relate to what came through him.

The power of the Cross of Christ, is the atonement and the grace we have. That atonement and grace is our freedom to serve the will of God, by having holiness come through us as we deny ourselves. The sufferance of denying ourselves, is us carrying the cross like Christ. The power is the holiness that comes through us that humility.

Paul denied himself in ways that express how we should deny ourselves. The desires of the flesh is a main focus yes. But it is far more than that. We deny ourselves the natural reactions we carry in interacting with each other.

We naturally desire to set ourselves beneath or above one another. This is instinctual, and primal. But in spiritual terms, we are equal in God's eyes. Whether rich or poor, righteous or wicked. We all have the capacity to come to the Father through His Son. So, we deny our nature, and treat one another how we would have ourselves be treated.

Tonight, God set before me a chance to witness to an old friend. He only knew me from my days before the Lord called me. I desired only to explain Jesus to this man. I did not want to seem 'holier than thou'. I did not want to quote scripture which he would not comprehend. I did not want to speak of all the evil things I had done. I desired only to explain who Jesus is. And that is what I did. Then I prayed that the Lord would open this man's heart.

All we can do is be sincere. We are not capable of 'selling salvation', we are only capable of sincere truth. When ministers and churches set out to evangelize, they are spreading seeds on everything, hoping something will grow. It is only good soil that brings a seed into the process of growth that will bear good fruit in season.

The good soil, is the soul which the Lord has placed in front of you. When you testify to them, the Lord has already plowed the land, and readied it in ways that you are unaware of. The Lord opens up their hearts, and they receive the good news. Otherwise, souls become discouraged, frustrated, stone hearted, and even defiant. This is why 'big business' ministry does more damage than good. For many are invited..but few are chosen.

Paul did not speak with wisdom or eloquence, he spoke with sincerity. You, my family, should remain hungry to serve the will of God, and when the opportunity is set before you to testify, do so as one who is equal in sin, but who has atonement and grace to celebrate.

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