As Paul now comes to the end of the first letter he wrote to the Corinthians, he reminds them of what is most important. Paul has covered a lot of ground and touched on many theological issues and problems. His last note of encouragement and challenge is to take them back to the truth of the Gospel. In the first century, some people who were not writing under divine inspiration, were trying to add to, or recreate, the message of the Gospel. Paul wants them to remember what is ultimate, the true message of Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and eye-witness sightings. The message of the Gospel is true and worthy of devotion.
It can be easy, as we dive into some of the methods of apologetics, to get caught up in grand debates over which method is the best. While it is not bad to have these discussions, it becomes problematic when we allow those discussions to distract us from accomplishing what we are called to, which is, to make disciples. Many a great Christian has been sidelined from the work that they have been called to do by arguments over secondary issues. This is why, when we seek to be better equipped for apologetic engagement, we must remember what is of first importance. In other words, keep the main thing, the main thing.
- What are some ways that Christians get distracted from matters of first importance?
- How can Christians remain on mission to make disciples in light of what Paul writes here to the Corinthian church?
- Are you aware of the good things that can distract you from sharing the Gospel message? What are they? How can you actively combat those distractions?
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