For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.
It is all too easy to lose sight of a main objective and become obsessed by something else – an activity, a society, a friendship or even a worthwhile Christian group. Paul was not a man to be diverted from what he knew was God’s life-purpose for him – he was called to announce Good News. His task was clear, and he was not ashamed to pursue it under all circumstances. He risked his life for it; he suffered at the hands of Jews and Gentiles alike, and yet went on preaching about the crucified Saviour. This good news of salvation through faith was a life changing message and he was at pains to announce it clearly without clever, intellectual, or persuasive language. He makes the same point again 1 Corinthians1:23-24. ‘when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.’
How committed are we to this central task of announcing Good News?