Paul came desiring to know and teach only Christ and Christ crucified. Those that received and believed that message of Who Jesus is and what Jesus did were added to the Kingdom and welcomed the Holy Spirit Who lets believers in on the deep things of God and the amazing things God has freely and abundantly given us. We can acquire and understand the spiritually discernible things because we have the mind of Christ within us.
We can enter into and go deeper and higher in spiritual matters because of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Not because of man. Paul was a wreck when he came to them; but the work was accomplished because of the Holy Spirit's effort which conferred on Paul the necessary power and abilities to activate and enliven the minds and hearts of his audience. The Holy Spirit was the causative agent of the salvation response, Paul was the weak and trembling vessel utilized. The Holy Spirit was the nitro-glycerin to Paul's cracked Pyrex beaker.
4And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them],
5So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.
Watchman Nee's The Latent Power of the Soul points out the Biblical truth that we were created in God's image...very powerful, versatile and creative image. Think back to what Adam was tasked to do...God did not think the directions He gave Adam were too much for him, so obviously, Adam was "man enough" ~ because of Whose image he had been created in. (just like us) While sin corrupted the man; the design was still there...God's image, with all the power and creativity and ability, latent in the soul. So man can do great things, by design. The problem is if they are not done on God's direction and in His manner, then they don't count (wood, hay and stubble) or they count against us (sin) which was held against Christ.
Paul appears to have subdued his soulish-strengths by seriously downplaying his elocution and persuasive aptitudes; perhaps to give the Holy Spirit the spotlight on a dedicated stage. Maybe Paul was experiencing groupies and by removing his natural capabilities from the instruction, he allowed a better revelation of the Lord and the Lord alone. Now, I don't believe Paul was not prepared for the teaching nor do I mean that he didn't give his all for the time; but I am merely wondering if Paul operated from a weakened state or outside of his comfort zone in order that the Holy Spirit might be the only Star in that season. So that the hearers' faith would be in the power of God and not a slick presentation from a worthy orator. Paul knowing and functioning from Christ and Him crucified does not leave any room for Paul and his ego. The mind of Christ directing a most capable and eloquent speaker to allow a demonstration of the Holy Spirit and His power, rather than an opportunity to work his own talents and gifts. Much less is made of Paul that much more may be made of God. And the results were valid, true conversions; not emotional responses which would be discarded at the first show of discomfort or persecution.
My challenge is how am I operating from a Christ and Christ crucified position in the dailyness of my life? Paul came that way in order for the power of God to stir the minds and hearts of those he encountered. How am I yielding the stage of my life to allow the Spirit to take center stage and be God to those I come across everyday? Where do I let the power and prestige of God show through the cracked beaker of Tami? I know that I, as a believer, need to experience God-Spirit and His power everyday, how much more does the world need to see Him displayed that it may taste and see that the Lord is good? Why don't I plan into my day the extra time for the Spirit to operate through me for others, instead of going from point A to B to C...plan a few minutes just to be the beaker at each place.
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