We know that the cross is very important as Christians, for it is the power of God. However, those who say they are Christians but dislike the cross, these people are really perishing and unsaved. The Bible is clear about who is on God’s side and who is not. All we need to do is read in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, which is 1 Corinthians, and we will see this first hand. He wrote, “for Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” (1 Corinthians 1:17-19) So what did Paul desire to preach unto the people in his time in the church? It was the cross. When he preached the gospel message of Christ crucified and His resurrection, he did not solely focus on the resurrection but put emphasis on the cross. It is because the cross means everything to a person that is saved. This is when Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, that we may be forgiven. His death ended all other sacrifices, and He became the Lamb of God. So remember what He did for you on the cross and come unto Him today. In prayer, confess that you are a sinner and need a Savior. Then, He will come unto you.
Paul also taught, “where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-24) The God I know is able to make the wisdom of man foolish, but our teachings of Him wise. So many people require a sign from God to believe, while so many people are seeking wisdom but can never find exactly what they are looking for. As for true Christians, we preach Christ crucified. That because of His sacrifice for sin, people can be forgiven. No matter what they have done, all God requires is that they give their lives over to Him and accept His sacrifice on the cross. Then, in baptism, can they die to their old selves and be raised up in newness of life, just as Jesus rose from the grave. Now, as believers, we know that the cross is the power of and wisdom of God displayed on earth for us. So allow the Lord to remove any false beliefs, that you might know Him and the gospel as it should be preached.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that the preaching of the cross becomes important to each one of us in the faith. I have talked to way too many people who are put off by the talk of the crucifixion. And it is very sad each time I meet people like this. For I know that that they are perishing and need to understand the importance of the cross in order to be saved. Yes, God, without allowing Your sacrifice on the cross to cover their sins, these same people will continue walking a life that leads to destruction. There are too many people who appear to be righteous, but are really lost and need You more than they will ever know. All I know, God, is that I was lost until I found You. It wasn’t until I realized what You really did for me on the cross, that my life changed forever. I am no longer the same person. Because You died for my sins, that means that Your forgiveness is for me also. Wow! I am so blessed to know You now. Thank You for allowing me to live a little longer, in order to repent and come fully surrendered to You and Your kingdom. I say fully surrendered because that is what it took to finally draw near unto You. Telling people I believed in You was one thing, but that meant nothing until if I humbled myself and submitted my life to You. Now I know what it means to truly be saved and I am happier than ever. Thank You, God, for Your mercy and grace. Because of Your sacrifice on the cross and the resurrection, I have new life. This life I live is for You, Jesus. Do with me what You will. I love You. I praise You. Amen.
