“For the Anointed One has sent me on a mission, not to see how many I could baptize, but to proclaim the good news. And I declare this message stripped of all philosophical arguments that empty the cross of its true power. For I trust in the all-sufficient cross of Christ alone.”
1 Corinthians 1:17 TPT
We love numbers and we love to see results. We like to know the impact we have had on those around us and the society that we are functioning within. It feels good to be told when we’ve done well and we often dwell in the moments when we are praised. Many times, this is even the motive to do what we do and the encouragement to continue on doing so.
As I read through this passage, I could not look beyond Paul’s humility. He so clearly understood that he was a part of something bigger than any number could represent.
The people of Corinth were becoming divided based on their loyalty to a specific preacher, such as Apollos, Peter, and even Paul himself!
It would have been so easy for Paul to consume the praise that he was receiving. He could have grown his ego with each person that claimed his name and he could have tried to pull the others into his corner too.
Not only did Paul refrain from boasting in their praises of him, but he used it as an opportunity.
He used it as an opportunity to point them back to Jesus. He preached the cross of Christ alone. Not Christ + Paul. It wasn’t about self-glorification, but Jesus-glorification.
It is difficult enough to remain humble without gaining a following, but to continue to walk in humility in the face of popularity speaks so greatly of Paul’s heart.
To be completely honest, I have so much to learn from Paul in this. I am so susceptible to be drawn to the numbers or the results that are visible to me. It is in my nature to seek approval from those around me.
Even with taking this leap in writing, it’s so easy to get sucked into “how many people saw this?” or “did anyone comment?” or “did this post even reach anyone”?
BUT IT DOESNT MATTER.
As I had considered beginning to write a book a few months ago, my mentor reminded me that it didn’t matter if the book wasn’t a success in the eyes of the world. What mattered was my obedience to God. If God was asking me to write a book, a book written would be satisfactory whether it became a best seller or one lone copy joining the collection of books on my shelf.
Paul has reminded me yet again that numbers are incomparable to the reward of eternity with my Lord. He has reminded me that God sees far beyond the results that I want to see. And he has reminded me that it is about my obedience to God’s calling on my life not about the world’s measurement of success.
Even beyond that, Paul shows us what it looks like to love God more than that which he has called us to or the part get to play in the bigger story.
Paul had a mission to proclaim the good news; to share the gospel. But his focus was far beyond his personal call. His focus was on the cross; the all-sufficient cross of Christ-alone.
What is it that God is calling you to? Don’t become discouraged when you don’t see results. Don’t depend on the world for your encouragement. Be completely fulfilled in knowing that you are obediently responding to and being led by the Lord.
And in all things, keep your focus on the cross of Christ-alone. Numbers on earth won’t matter when we reap the reward of eternity spent with Him.
