Crucified in Weakness; Living in Power

So writes Paul in 2 Cor 13.4. The Corinthians—or some of them anyway—appeared to have questioned Paul's authority to "tell them what to do." Paul says that the demonstration of his authority is in the power with which he speaks and writes. It is a power that he firmly establishes in Christ.

His argument goes in this manner. Christ was crucified in weakness, but he lives by the power of God (who raised him from the dead—how is that, O Corinthians, for a demonstration of power?). In the same way, Paul was weak in Christ, and yet the same power that raised Christ from the dead, was available to Paul. Paul lived, preached, and wrote, by that power.

We, also, are weak in Christ, we are no different than Paul. However, the power that raised Christ from the dead and that sustained Paul in his ministry—God's power—is available for us as we do the work that God has called us to do.

In Demonstration of the Spirit and Power

In 1 Corinthians 2.4 this morning. Paul made a deliberate decision not to present the gospel in a way that accorded with what the Greeks perceived as human wisdom and eloquence (he was smart enough that he certainly could have). Rather, Paul decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. This ensured that the results that came would be by way of the Holy Spirit and demonstrate God's power.

The obvious question for us is: "Do we do the same in our presentation of the gospel and in our lives?" It is rather easy to allow worldly thinking and arguments into our lives in a vain attempt to "get results." Paul consciously rejected this approach. The message was Jesus Christ and him crucified. Always.