For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Cor 2:2
Last week we saw that God chose the foolish, weak and humble things of this world(the majority of us), so that He might get the glory!
In Acts 17:16 we read about Paul’s visit to Athens; he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. Paul reasoned in the synagogue and in the market-place day by day. He reasoned with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers and was invited to speak in the Areopagus, the main debating centre. (In my experience it’s often harder to lead someone with fixed ideas or beliefs to salvation). Paul was a gifted speaker and presented the Gospel in a way to which his listeners could relate. Some of them sneered when he spoke of the resurrection of the dead, others wanted to hear more.
The bottom line or outcome of Paul’s presentation; A FEW BECAME FOLLOWERS of Paul and believed. Acts 17:34
Paul failed to get a significant breakthrough in Athens, it was difficult for the Gospel to penetrate their mindset and even Paul could only reason ‘a few’ of them into the truth.
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth Acts 18:1
So Paul arrived in Corinth with a new outlook concerning the Greek mindset. He was determined not to reason with them anymore, ‘to know only Christ and Him crucified’. Western civilisation is based on the Greek mindset, logical thinking and this mindset resists the power of the Gospel. We are educated to develop a certain part of our minds (usually left brain, logic) at the expense of the intuitive/creative part of our mind. The Holy Spirit speaks to people in visions, dreams and by our senses, sometimes asking us to do things that seem totally illogical. Jesus made some mud with saliva, rubbed it on a man’s eyes and told him to go and wash it off in the Pool of Siloam. Jn 9:6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; in all your ways acknowledge Him and HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS Prov 3:5,6
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons(Huios, mature sons) of God. Rom 8:14
Paul needed to lay down his own reasoning and learn to trust the Lord even as He did God’s work. Prov 3:5,6 is a scripture that we need pay heed to and walk in as times become more uncertain. We need to start being led by the Spirit of God in our daily lives.
Pray, Lord help me to be in the right place at the right time today and every day.
God bless and keep you.