The Spirit's Role in Saving

"And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. ( 2 ) For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ( 3 ) And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, ( 4 ) and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ( 5 ) so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

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When trying to share the gospel, I often focus too much on having all the right words to say. However, this thinking led to missed opportunities in sharing Jesus with others as I was too scared of accidentally saying the wrong thing. Although it is important to be well-versed in apologetics and biblical truth when sharing the gospel, it is also important to remember that the job of leading others to salvation ultimately belongs to the Holy Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, the Apostle Paul speaks to the believers in Corinth. He mentions how when he first preached to the Corinthians, he didn't preach with eloquent words or wisdom. Yet, when reading Acts 18, the record of when Paul traveled to Corinth, we learn that as Paul was preaching the gospel, "many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized" ( Acts 18:8 ). How was this possible? Because instead of relying on having "clear and persuasive speech", Paul relied on the power of the Holy Spirit ( 1 Cor. 2:4 ).

It is impossible for one to be saved without the Holy Spirit because it is the Spirit that convicts people of their sins ( John 16:8-11 ). Instead of trying to rely on our own speaking ability, our confidence in reaching hearts should be in God's power through the working of His Holy Spirit. As we rely on God through prayerful preparation, we can be certain that God will do the work inside the heart of the hearer.

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God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, You are the Bringer of light and salvation to all who believe and to all who accept Jesus Christ as Your Only-Begotten Son. Help me to rely on Your power in leading others to salvation as I share the gospel. Please speak through me and work in the hearts of the lost through Your Holy Spirit. Help me not to rely on myself and on my own speaking ability since I know that You are the Only One who saves.

In Jesus' Name, I pray, amen.