The Apostle Paul’s greatest concern in ministry was that he should preach nothing but Christ and the work completed at Calvary. He did not preach to show off his oratorical skills; rather, he spoke with “fear, and … trembling,” denoting the opposite of self-confidence. “In the power of God” not only refers to the miracles that accompanied Paul’s preaching (2 Cor. 12:12), but also to the Holy Spirit’s transforming power in the individual lives of the Corinthians when they were converted. Far from a mere intellectual conversion through human wisdom, they encountered the Spirit Himself who demonstrated His miraculous presence in them.
The cross of Jesus Christ is the power of God. It is a point of ridicule for those who are perishing in their sins, but it is the only power to save for those who believe. All of life’s final issues are settled at the cross: human pride versus God’s provision, man’s sin versus God’s love, our adversary the devil versus God’s perfect Son. Here at the cross Jesus cried, “It is finished.” Let the power of this finished work settle anything troubling you today.
