The Mind of A True Apostle

Broadcast 4207

Listen to today's audio (with audio Bible): https://streamglobe.org/aud4207

1 Corinthians 2:3-4 (NKJV) I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power

If you read the verses above, they may appear contradictory at first. Apostle Paul talks here about being with the Corinthians in weakness and much trembling, and yet in the same breath, he is talking about demonstrating the spirit and power of God.

‘I was with you in weakness and much trembling’. What does this mean?
This means Paul made it very clear to everyone that he was just an ordinary human being like them. He refused to elevate himself to superhuman status even though he did very many superhuman things.

For example, there was a time when some of the people he preached to in Lystra wanted to begin worshiping him as a god (Acts 14:14). He tore his clothes and revealed his flesh just to make it clear to them that he was an ordinary human being like them.

I can imagine that happening with some ministers today. They might sit on the throne offered to them, saying something like, “After all, the scriptures say we are gods. We have more authority than these idols they think we are.” But ministers with this attitude can never raise disciples who grow beyond spiritual infancy. 

For people to be truly discipled, they need to see that their disciplers are human like them, experiencing the same challenges and struggles. However, if disciplers give the impression that they are somehow superhuman, they won’t be able to raise genuine disciples who mature in faith.

Because Paul made it clear to the people that he was a mortal human like them, when they saw the manifestation of the Spirit and power of God, they knew it wasn't Paul working but Christ working through Paul. Therefore, their faith was in Christ and not in Paul.

Go into today remembering that when people have their faith divided between men and God, they will not be able to grow in their knowledge of God. The Corinthian believers remained babes because of this very reason. Some said I am of Paul, others Apollos, etc. (see 1 Cor 3:1-4).

—Abraham Damilola Arigi

Want to be saved? Click here: www.streamglobe.org/33

If you wish to start receiving Streamglobe Devotional early every day, join our WhatsApp or Telegram channel through this link: https://streamglobe.org/join

Bible In 1 Year: Proverbs 28 (in today's audio)

Streamglobe is interdenominational. Kindly share this devotional and let's touch lives together.
Listen to our 24/7 Radio here: www.streamglobe.org