"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Cor. 2:5).
The testimony of the Holy Spirit through Paul shows that there is a faith which stands "in the wisdom of men/' It accepts God's teaching doctrinally, but is not a living faith from above. The apostle was quite conscious of the success he might win by changed methods-methods not manifestly evil, of course. If, with persuasive words of man's wisdom, his preaching might have brought many to own Christ, he denied himself this opportunity.
The mesmeric power of a personality, the enthusiasm of a meeting, the forcible flow of language of a gifted speaker may win many to-day, and the preacher may be unconscious of the real result. "Converts" may profess Christ's name earnestly, but….! This is the key to much of the sad spiritual condition that we deplore. Seemingly successful missions are held:those who come in the inquiry rooms are counted and registered; and if the results claimed were permanent, London would be a different city. Numbers have professed Christ, but….! Mere human methods are plentifully used, and the humbling testimony of the cross of Christ is neutralized (1 Cor. 1:17).
People may accept with human affection the attractive aspects of the gospel, yet know nothing of that which appeals to a soul in whom God is working. Faith is professed, but it is not spiritual. The hearer is not a conscious hypocrite:no, he thinks he believes; he accepts the teaching set forth; but our ruin and the gospel of the rejected Lord being lightly passed over, if not neglected, the true meaning of salvation from oneself is hidden. The natural man likes part of the gospel:that part is preached, that part is believed, and preacher and hearers are satisfied, but there is no building for eternity.
Ah, beloved friends, shall we share in this delusive attraction, or humbly raise a testimony, in the enabling of the Holy Spirit, for the still despised gospel of the grace of God, with its accompaniment of simple, unworldly discipleship?-From "The Student of Scripture."