FRIDAY, APRIL 28
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1 Peter 1:5

"…my speech and my preaching was not
with enticing words of man’s wisdom…"

RESTING IN GOD’S POWER

One major problem of the Corinthian Christians was looking towards man rather than God. They hanged on to personalities instead of following the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul had to remind them that their faith rested not on man’s wisdom, but in the saving power of God!

Calvin’s commentary on 1 Corinthians 2:5 is particularly insightful:

"If the Apostle’s preaching had rested exclusively on the power of eloquence, it might have been overthrown by superior eloquence, and besides, no one would pronounce that to be solid truth which rests on mere elegance of speech. It may indeed be helped by it, but it ought not to rest upon it. On the other hand, that must have been most powerful which could stand of itself without any foreign aid. Hence it forms a choice commendation of Paul’s preaching, that heavenly influence shone forth in it so clearly, that it surmounted so many hindrances, while deriving no assistance from the world. It follows, therefore, that they must not allow themselves to be moved away from his doctrine, which they acknowledge to rest on the authority of God…. Let it then be known by us that it is the property of faith to rest upon God alone, without depending on men; for it requires to have so much certainty to go upon, that it will not fail, even when assailed by all the machinations of hell, but will perseveringly endure and sustain every assault. This cannot be accomplished unless we are fully persuaded that God has spoken to us, and that what we have believed is no mere contrivance of men."

We must be careful that our faith rests not in the preacher but on the preached Word of God. We must obey that which is preached not because we admire the preacher, but simply because our faith rests fully in God’s Word and His saving power. This will be our anchor and defence in this perilous world.

THOUGHT: My faith is built on Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
PRAYER: Lord, it is so sweet to trust in Jesus.