1 Corinthians 2:4-5 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

The Greeks were used to orators, and tricks of oratory were something of a hobby for them. Many commentators have pointed out that Paul went to Corinth right after his experience in Athens, as recorded in Acts 17:16-34. He certainly preached an eloquent sermon there, but got very sparse results. That taught him a lesson, which was not to rely on his training and gifting but on the power of God. That’s a lesson we all need to take to heart! It’s not that training and gifting are meaningless or useless, but just that they aren’t the main thing. Ben Wong frequently says, “The main thing in ministry is to keep the main thing the main thing.” We very easily get distracted! It is only when we keep our focus on the Lord that our words become His words and work His will in the hearts and lives of our hearers. Some have taken this passage to mean that only “miracle ministry” is valid, but there are many more manifestations of God’s power than visible miracles. Yesterday I was saddened to hear Dennis Prager, whom I respect and admire very much, talk about salvation from a Jewish and a Christian perspective. As a Jew, he can’t imagine a genuine assurance of salvation apart from works, and he essentially insulted God’s holiness by saying that God’s OK with our being less than perfect. By human logic that’s entirely reasonable, but it totally misses the greatest miracle of all time, which is the atoning work of Christ. When a person receives that atonement by faith, that is indeed a demonstration of the power of God. Miracles are nice, and can indeed confirm the words we speak, (Mark 16:20) but the greatest miracle is in the human heart.

I have had assurance of salvation for many, many years, and I am deeply grateful. That has been even when I have stumbled badly, with no excuse. That in itself is a miracle! Our Verse for the Year in this church is Ephesians 2:10, which talks about the good works that God has prepared for us to do, but our salvation isn’t dependent on those good works, as the previous two verses so famously declare. As I proclaim the Gospel to people, specifically here in Japan where there is no cultural framework for it, I must rely always on the power of God, because my powers of persuasion certainly won’t cut it. I am to speak what, when, where, and as the Lord directs, but know that the power is entirely His. His power is certainly up to the task!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the incredible privilege of being an agent of Your power in proclaiming the Gospel. May that proclamation be more and more effective, bringing many into Your family, Your kingdom, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!