Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

So many times in school, we are asked to improve the wording and quality of our papers and essays. They tell us to use a thesaurus and use ‘bigger’ words. After the final product is completed, the essay sounds great and flows well. There are words in there that catch the reader’s attention, but they aren’t our words. At times, they can detract from the simple truth in that essay. 

How often do we embellish or interpret the simple truths of the Gospel to make it more appealing to ourselves? How hard it is just to keep the Gospel simple? 

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1 Corinthians 2:1-5
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 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
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Paul spoke the simple truth. He didn’t come to Corinth to boast in himself and speak in fancy superior words or proclaim he was of greater wisdom. No, Paul came as a witness of Christ’s testimony to the Corinthians. Paul humbly came to them so that the only focus was Christ. He didn’t want the message of Christ to be construed so that the glory did not always point to Christ. The Corinthians' fancy wisdom and words meant nothing to Paul because it was unimportant. He did not need any of it. The only thing worth knowing is that Jesus Christ died a shameful death on that cross. 

Paul tells the Corinthians that he is not there to mix philosophy with God’s true message. When we start blurring the lines and adding interpretation to the truth, division in the church occurs. Paul desired for the division within the Corinthian church to cease and unite again in Christ. Paul’s purpose was to see God glorified and not himself. Paul was a tentmaker, nothing special or extravagant. But he was called to do the work of God and keep the truth the truth. Paul didn’t need to embellish because it would only confuse and add more to the interpretation. The simple truth is all that is required. 

God uses all of us in ways we never imagine. If God calls someone according to His will, God will prepare that individual for the work He has planned. We don’t need an extravagant or elaborate pastor; we need the simple truth spoken so that all the glory is given to God and not one man. Yes, some people are much better orators and speak in engaging and eloquent ways, but sometimes the focus gets taken away from God, and people get captivated by the man. 

Don’t let your faith rest in the wisdom of men. Let your faith be simply in the power of God, and let the Holy Spirit guide your heart. Prepare your hearts to be a dwelling place for the Lord. When asked, speak the truth about the Gospel of Jesus and don’t embellish the words. Don't detract from the message and testimony of God by making it more palatable for some people because it only waters down the meat and substance of God’s message to all of us.