THE WORD OF THE CROSS
"For the word of the cross is to them that are perishing foolishness;
but unto us who are being saved, it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:18
The word of the cross divides those that are being saved from those that are perishing.
The wisdom of God is revealed by the same word accomplishing both the salvation and judgment of God.
How does it accomplish both?
The word of the cross brings to those being saved,
the power of God.
It declares that all sin has been fully punished,
once-for-all in Jesus' death.
The shame of the cross was sufficient to cover all our sin.
The Father was Satisfied by the travail of his soul.
Isaiah 53:11
This is not an abstract theological fact.
It is an age-transcending truth that comes down to each of us today who sees and feels our sin.
My sin was fully punished in his suffering upon the cross.
That is not assertion of a positive mental attitude,
but relying upon my Savior.
It is the joyful paradox:
only those who see their sin, see their Savior.
Seeing both, the word of the cross imparts power
to follow Jesus home.
His Spirit now leads us who are being saved,
and the crucifixion of our self occurs again and again. Listen:
"For we who live are always delivered unto death
for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh."
2 Corinthians 4:11
"For thy sake we are killed all the day long;
we were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
Romans 8:36; Psalms 44:22
"and he died for all, that they that live, should no longer live unto themselves , but unto him, who for their sake, died and rose again." 2 Corinthians 5:15
"If any man would come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
Luke 9:23
"... I die daily." 1 Corinthians 15:31
The Death of the only Innocent man, upon the epitome of hate and shame,
was intended to cover our rebellion, and fatally pierce our self will.
But the word of the cross is to them that are perishing, foolishness . They hear it and instinctively recognize that it demands the surrender of their will, and all of the things that feed pride. The pride of their heart deceives them,
as surely as the Edomites. Obadiah 3
The word of the cross that requires our surrender, is dismissed. The meek and lowly One is rejected, either in blatant ridicule, or the demand of his cross is subtly reduced and ignored by activities.
It is this subtle way that infiltrates churches,
irrespective of denomination.
The values of the world are first accepted, then embraced.
Those that are perishing feel immune to the deceit
of expecting glory now .
The call to self denial, humility, and meekness is reduced.
Deceit is accepted, truth suppressed, and sorrow for sin fades.
The Man of Sorrows becomes an embarrassment.
If we could see only a glimpse of the Glory of the Lord, and His wrath against disobedience, we would tremble,
as certainly as Israel at Sinai.
"Knowing therefore, the fear of the Lord, we persuade men."
-2 Corinthians 5:11
Not knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade no one.
The great injustice, of the shameful death,
of the innocent Man, who came for us,
was changed into the Hope of Glory,
for every contrite heart.
Only the power of the Creator-God has done that,
.over and over again.
" Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood, was shed for me."
When the inner awareness of our need becomes intense,
it is the fresh work of the Spirit of God upon us once again.
He may be resisted , Acts 7:51, or we may turn to the Lord, 2 Corinthians 3:16.
May the Spirit make us willing to surrender all.
The word of the cross is the power of God to save us from His coming wrath.
There is no other Word from God.
If we resist His Spirit, there is no other power to help us.
Our perishing , He is willing to replace,
with the power of an endless life .
"What is left of the gospel, if you take away the cross?"
- Charles Loos, 1869