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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Christ Crucified




So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say its all nonsense
1Corinthians 1: 20-23

One of the most effective ways to reach people for Christ is presented in this piece of scripture. The Apostle Paul experienced first hand the power of Christ crucified with his experience on the Damascus road.
Christ crucified works not by what we can see or touch. Neither is it manifested in the process of mans theory or philosophy. It can not be comprehended through the dogmas of man and his way to worship.
To those whose philosophy is based on the concept of karma or deeds will come to find out that Christ crucified confounds that notion. Man and his ability to reason with the effects of sin and death is contrary to the power of God which is presented through Jesus Christ crucified. Christ crucifixion becomes offensive to those who hold on to the processes of this world and its application to sin. It becomes nonsense to those who look to the wisdom of men to deliver mankind from the challenges it faces in every facet of our lives.
It was love manifested by the Spirit of God that presented His son to the cross to save us. (John 3:16) Nothing else. When we preach Christ crucified we proclaim the love of God unconditionally in order for the Spirit of God to manifest the glory of God. It is available only when we proclaim the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and apply it in every area of our lives. Not only in the presence of His precious Saints and body but also to those who do not believe.
Delivering the message of the cross is one that can be challenging to this world. Armed with the Spirit of God and the power of the risen Christ can we accomplish the mandate (Matthew 28:19) set before us by our risen King. To the Jews it is an offense (the traditions and religion) and to the Gentiles it is nonsense (the non believers and those who put there faith in this world).
Today continue to allow Christ to be crucified in your life. Understand and know it is the power of God that leads to salvation.
Ask the Lord today to allow you to see the cross and its message. Thank Him for His power to give us life through the cross. Bless him for giving you the opportunity to embrace it in every area of your life. Amen.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men,
and the weakness of God is stronger than men
1 Corinthians 1: 25