1 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters,* I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.* 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
Dang!!! I wish I wouldn’t stop reading at the chapter breaks! This is a continuation of yesterday’s journal. Two statements of Paul’s stand out in these 5 verses. “… I decided that … I would forget everything except Jesus Christ…“ and in verse 4 “… I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.“
What would my life look like if I forgot everything but Jesus Christ and relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit? (with my best Paulie impersonation…) “Oh my gosh!”
Here’s the key. It’s two words in verse 2. “… I decided…“ That is the key. It’s making a premeditated choice to respond and do “X” before the heat of the battle or the throw of temptation.
If I forget everything but Jesus, then that means I forget all about me… all my pride, my selfishness, my wants, my desires, my laziness, my lack of discipline, my busy-ness, and so on and so on. It means I forget all about tomorrow’s schedule, the demands of my job, cheer practice, scouts, sports, tv, (whatever) and I remember Jesus. I spend time with him. I let the Holy Spirit lead me, even through the events of my day – the difference being the attitude of my heart. I do it out of worship and devotion to Him and not out of guilt or duty to something else, or out of my own selfish desires.
I am deciding to forget everything except Jesus Christ and to rely only on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, help me make the same decision tomorrow and the next day. Amen.