Style for Substance

3.16.2011

1 Corinthians 1:17 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. NIV

Two very important distinctions: not to baptize, but to preach; to preach the gospel, not words of human wisdom. One very important concern: lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Paul was emphasizing his ministry and he plainly stated it wasn’t to get caught up in the peripherals of Christianity – baptism being one of them; preaching clever messages another. Paul seemed to be a nuts and bolts kind of guy and knew from his Jewish heritage that sometimes the peripherals can take center stage and lead people away from the simplicity and purity of the gospel – because in that simplicity and purity is a power that defies human logic and wisdom.

Formalism confounds simplicity and purity with its layers and complexity; and we must be very careful of what we add onto the gospel in style, that can be substituted for substance – baptism only matters because of what is happening in a person’s heart, not because of the water. A marriage isn’t defined by a ceremony; it’s defined by how two souls - one man and one woman - choose in their hearts to make one inseparable life together.

This weekend I get the opportunity to speak at a local assembly and I must remember that it isn’t style or delivery that gets the job done, it’s the power of the cross of Jesus Christ – without which, we’d all be in deep weeds.

Father in Heaven,
It is about Your power and Your love that people’s lives are changed and their hearts are transformed. Marriage ceremonies and baptismal services may be very beautiful but only one question will matter on the day of Christ: how did I serve and preach the gospel? Help me to be true – in Christ’s Name, amen.