PROCLAMATION
“For the message of the cross is foolishness
to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of
God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)
EXPLANATION
These words were written by the apostle Paul,
under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, in a letter to the believers in
the church at Corinth. Paul had heard that there was disagreement and
division between the believers in the church at Corinth based upon
which leader they were following. (1 Corinthian 1:10-12) His message to
them was that they should on one accord.
Christ was not divided, and His message was clear. He told them
that they should focus on the message of the cross. He said that the
world may think that the message of the cross is foolishness, but those who are
saved know that it is the love of Christ and the power of God.
APPLICATION
The cross symbolizes the crucifixion, death,
burial, and resurrection of Christ. It divides mankind into two groups,
believers who are saved and non-believers who are not saved. The message
of the cross should not divide saved people, it should unite them. “For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believed in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John
3:16) It was out of His love for us and His obedience to God, The Father,
that Christ stayed on the cross. (Matthew 26:42 and Luke 22:42) While suffering on the cross He showed His
love by forgiving those who crucified Him and those of us who made His
crucifixion necessary. (Luke 23:34) The fear and reverence of The Lord is
the beginning of wisdom. (Psalms 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10) Those of us,
whom God has called to believe, know that all power and wisdom come from God.
(1 Corinthians 1:24-25) As we think about whom we are, what we have done,
and what we have become, we know that we have been loved and blessed by God. (1
Corinthians 1:26-31) To God be the glory!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment