1 Corinthians – Chapter 2

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 – Something you’d learn about me if you hung around me is that sports is not at all a part of my life. I don’t watch sports, talk about sorts, or really even care about sports. Now I can watch a game and understand that basic rules of the game, but I just don’t see the point in all of it. Why? Because I’m not a sports guy. While not the best illustration, allow it to help you understand this passage. The natural person, someone who isn’t a believer in God and who does not have the Holy Spirit, can’t see the point of God. Spiritual things are foolish to him to even be concerned with and he isn’t even able to understand the ways of God. Why? Because he doesn’t have the Holy Spirit within him helping him see and understand. Let us then be patient with people who we are seeking to share the Gospel with. Like convincing me that sports are amazing and worthwhile, it’s going to take time to help a non-believer see the point of Jesus. In fact, they’ll never be able to understand unless the Holy Spirit opens their eyes and helps them understand. Let us then be in prayer daily for those who do not yet know Jesus to have their eyes and hearts opened by the Holy Spirit to understand their need of Him. While they believe right now there is nothing to the spiritual side of this world, there is, and they desperately need to see the need they have for Jesus in their story. Pray the Lord will move in their life in the ways that only He can, then be available like Paul was to speak the wisdom of the Lord into the lives of those God has open the eyes of. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3109

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were no in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (v.2-5) In this passage, God opens up for us a couple amazing points about our sharing of His message. As you know if you’ve ever stepped out of your comfort zone and actually carried out your calling of spreading His message of love and grace, the bombardment of thoughts of how to do it and what to say always seem to find their way into your mind. This passage though gives a simplistic and freeing answer to those worry-filled questions. For to what to say, “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” For how to say it, “In demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” That our message is Jesus loves us and was willing to die just to be in a relationship with us, and our means of spreading that message is completed by the demonstration of the way we live our lives. When our message is Jesus’ love and grace and that is shown throughout the way we live our everyday life, our witness is never ending. I love the quote from Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary use words.” This is opening to us the reality that our lives every day is our testimony to the love and grace of Jesus. So question for you…would someone who sees your life understand the love and grace of Jesus more just because they spent time with you? – Daily DEVO 4

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12 – There are many things about God that just doesn’t make sense. Like how could someone love so unconditionally? Maybe in your walk with God you’ve come across some questions as well about His character and Word. Thankfully though what we read here is that God has given us His Spirit so we can understand and know Him better. Meaning God wants us to deeply know Him and His ways. He knows that without His help there’s no chance that we could even begin to understand God like He desires us to know Him so He chose to help us out. Today hear the message that God wants you to know Him and wants to help you know Him. He doesn’t want the type of relationship with you that keeps you at arms distance because He’s afraid if you get too close you might find out something bad about Him. He’s bringing you close and helping you know Him. He has nothing to hide, and the more we see into His character the more we’ll see how much He loves us and how much we love Him. We have a pretty amazing God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 704

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 – Many of us shy away from sharing the Gospel because we feel as if we can’t do it properly. We don’t know enough, we don’t speak fancy Christians terms, and we are just too nervous to talk with people. Yet just read through once again the posture of Paul when he taught. He didn’t use fancy words, he came fearful, and the message was simple. What was His message? Jesus and Him crucified. He told them about who Jesus is and what He did for them. Maybe you don’t know the full Bible super well, but what Paul spoke on is a message you can talk about with people. Know it’s ok to not feel qualified to talk and it’s ok to not know everything there is about the Bible before you share the gospel. What’s not ok is using those reasons and others you may come up with as to why you don’t share the gospel. The message of Jesus is alive and people are dying without it, lean into what Jesus has called you to do and share His story with others. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1769