Foolish Message?

“For those who are perishing the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB)

What is the message of the cross? It’s very simple, really.

There is a God who is sovereign over the entire universe, which He created, including mankind. Originally, mankind was sinless but was given the freedom to make personal choices. When tempted, mankind disobeyed God’s clear instructions and committed sin. God then condemned man and in His holiness and righteousness decreed that man must die for his sin. However, because of His grace and love, God planned a means for providing man an opportunity to be saved from the penalty of sin. He sent His Son, Jesus, to take the penalty for man by dying on the cross, thus taking on Himself the judgment that was due man. Jesus died in man’s place. The blood Jesus shed on this cross spiritually “covered” the sins of man, thus, providing the means for man’s forgiveness and, therefore, his salvation. To seal this and demonstrate the power of the cross, God’s power, Jesus rose from the dead. Anyone who therefore believes in Jesus, the Messiah of God, the Christ, God’s Anointed One, His Son, who receives Jesus into his or her heart by a faith commitment, receives also the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Only those who receive this message into their hearts on the basis of a faith commitment actually understand it. They understand because they personally experience God’s power and His illumination through faith, through personal commitment.

Those who deny the reality of sin, who believe that humanity is the epitome of all existence, the highest order in the universe, or who are committed to human rationality find this message to be nonsense and foolishness. The pride of humanism keeps them from knowing the truth. Unfortunately, that same pride will lead them to their destruction.

There is nothing at all foolish with God’s grace and the cross of Jesus. The only thing foolish here is the destructive pride that so many prefer.

Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank You, Lord, for making me whole. Thank You, Lord, for giving to me Thy great salvation so rich and free. Amen.