I Corinthians 2

We've heard it preached a hundred times: humility is the key. But do we really take it to heart? How many of us look at reaching the lost as a competition among friends? We try to notch our belts with converts or teach for the sake of hearing our own voices. How many of us are more concerned with being the most spiritual or the most knowledgeable rather than focusing primarily on sharing the gospel?

Paul gives us an example of what we should be when we approach the lost as he reminds the Corinthians that when he first came to them he was sure to not know anything. That doesn't mean that he literally knew nothing. Of course, we know that Paul was a very educated man in both the law and in secular knowledge. He was, quite possibly, the smartest man in the room at the Corinthian church, but he was resolved to not let that intellect get in the way of the Holy Spirit. The only thing that he wanted to know at that moment; the only wisdom that he wanted to impart was the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Too often we get caught up in trying to solve side issues that don't really matter once you know Christ, but that we feel are important because their resolution hinges on our own knowledge and abilities. Too often we want to "teach" or "share" from our own experience so that we can share our experiences and build our egos rather than for the edification of the body. Paul challenges us to set all of that aside and to humble ourselves to the point of knowing nothing except Christ so that our faith relies solely on Him.