The Main Thing

11/08/15

1 Corinthians 2. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. – St. Paul

It appears that Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in response to some issues (both major and minor) they were having. Paul had already come to Corinth in person and when he did, he decided to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ and Him crucified – the gospel. Because he said, ‘I decided’ I guess he must have had some thoughts about what to say to the Corinthians and how he would say it. He’d made up his mind that the only thing he would present to them was the only thing they needed to hear: Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Sometimes in conversation about God, people will present all kinds of the thoughts they have about God. Some are fairly insightful, and some is just downright ridiculous. That’s not to put people down, it’s just to say that when you enter into a conversation about God with people be prepared to hear some pretty wild stuff. People have strange thoughts about God.

Paul knew that – by this time in his ministry he’d probably heard all kinds of weird and wild stuff.

But Paul made up his mind before he even got there that he was going to keep the main thing the main thing. He wasn’t going to allow himself or his hearers to get side-tracked by tradition, religion, or superstition. The gospel is what sets men free, not discussions about what somebody else says about God. And men’s opinions about God are almost endless.

There is something to learn from Paul’s example here in this letter. There is something to be learned in the conversations we have with others about the goodness and nature of God. It is the lesson of keeping the main thing the main thing. It is the lesson of keeping the conversation focused and it is the lesson of letting the Holy Spirit do His work as we present the evidence of His Being. That certainly doesn’t mean being rude, or terse, but it does mean lovingly presenting the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth – so help us God.

Lord, help me to keep it simple and keep it focused on You and what You’ve done and to avoid the trap of wrangling over words. The Gospel is what sets men free and may my discussions about You cling to the truth about You. Help me God – Amen.