18 For I will not be so bold as to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to win obedience from the gentiles, by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told of him shall see,
and those who have never heard of him shall understand.”
We’ve all heard the phrase “preaching to the choir.” It is easier, sometimes, to share God’s love with people who already know about God’s love. It’s wonderful to sing our hymns and songs of faith on Sunday, surrounded by like minds and hearts. Paul suggests, in his words and deeds, that we step out in faith and take it a little further.
I guess we should look for those occasions to praise God with those who might not know or praise God themselves. We also might want to be especially concerned about showing love to people who might not be offering love up front. Can our words and actions help “those who have never been told of Him to see, and those who have never heard of Him to understand”? It’s worth a try.
Prayer
God, give me the strength and wisdom today to proclaim the gospel where it is not obvious that Christ has already been named. Amen.