On some regards, salvation is still a mystery. Though some people accept the Gospel, many reject it. Why? After all, everyone has the same heart. “The heart is deceitful, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NKJV) Why is it that two cities, Athens and Corinth, responded so differently to Paul’s message? On the surface, personal corruption seems to be the answer, yet the difference may be from God Himself.
Athens was a city of intellectual galore. Their livelihood was pursuing controversy. Such a safe and open place, may be a good place to preach. Far from it, though physically safe it was a hard time preaching. Turns out that while the people of Athens, at the Areopagus, lived to “either to tell or to hear some new thing” pride blocked their minds to certain possibilities, especially the possibility of a resurrection from the dead.(Acts 17:21, 31-32) While intellectually developed, they stumbled, believing a lie because they sought wisdom as well as life apart from God. (Romans 1:18-32) …show more content…
After all, it was filled with fleshy sins not prideful thinking about philosophy and the truths of life. Taking a deeper look, however, it becomes apparent that sin affects both the heart and mind. While Corinth didn’t think like Athens, it could possibly contain pride by believing everyone is free to live how they please. Obviously, Paul had tremendous success there. However, this was only because either the Holy Spirit had prevented sin from progressing or had prepared the Corinthians’s heart to Paul message producing the greater initial response than what happened in Athens.(1 Samuel 25:34, Acts 18:7-8, Acts 17:34) Pride comes in many forms, yet the Holy Spirit can overcome all
Athens was a city of intellectual galore. Their livelihood was pursuing controversy. Such a safe and open place, may be a good place to preach. Far from it, though physically safe it was a hard time preaching. Turns out that while the people of Athens, at the Areopagus, lived to “either to tell or to hear some new thing” pride blocked their minds to certain possibilities, especially the possibility of a resurrection from the dead.(Acts 17:21, 31-32) While intellectually developed, they stumbled, believing a lie because they sought wisdom as well as life apart from God. (Romans 1:18-32) …show more content…
After all, it was filled with fleshy sins not prideful thinking about philosophy and the truths of life. Taking a deeper look, however, it becomes apparent that sin affects both the heart and mind. While Corinth didn’t think like Athens, it could possibly contain pride by believing everyone is free to live how they please. Obviously, Paul had tremendous success there. However, this was only because either the Holy Spirit had prevented sin from progressing or had prepared the Corinthians’s heart to Paul message producing the greater initial response than what happened in Athens.(1 Samuel 25:34, Acts 18:7-8, Acts 17:34) Pride comes in many forms, yet the Holy Spirit can overcome all