For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
As divisions plagued the first-century Corinthian church, Paul writes that the preaching of the cross of Christ is of first importance. The saving power of the cross does not depend on eloquent rhetoric. Impressing people with one’s speaking talent is not Godly for it is egotistical. Such speech can win the mind, will, and emotions without converting the soul. Any focus on anything besides the cross is at the expense of the gospel and is in one’s own power and not the power of Christ crucified. Our only hope is the “word of the cross,” which is the proclamation of the events of the cross and their meaning. It is the doctrine of the cross, the truth of Christ’s substitutionary atonement that turns away the wrath of God and rescues us from sin, Satan, and death. The doctrine of the cross alone is effectual to salvation. Paul stresses that the power of the cross is folly to those who are perishing but the “power of God” for those who are being saved. Only those who are “being saved” will believe the gospel message. This is evidence that regeneration precedes faith, that one must be born again by the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit and granted a new heart receptive to the things of God before he will trust Christ. As the gospel is faithfully proclaimed, the Holy Spirit works through the word of the cross to move us to believe that word. This word of the cross also sustains us in salvation, enabling our perseverance unto glory. The word of the cross is indispensable for salvation and growth in grace. We neglect it at our own peril. May we never go beyond our need for the cross. We may go deeper in our understanding of what the cross accomplished. The atonement must remain central in our study and in the preaching of our churches.
Source: S C Ball October 21, 2023
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