Paul stated that through the cross, the world was crucified to him, and he to the world. In the lives of believers, there is a double crucifixion: I died to the world, and the world died to me. Through seeing the beauty and glory of the cross, the world lost all its luster and shine for Paul. The same is true for us. It is possible to become so taken up with the cross of Jesus Christ that sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil all die! We can see such beams of glory emanating from the cross that we can scarcely take it in, and we end up losing ourselves in the love of God.
This was the experience of the hymn-writer of How Great Thou Art:
And when I think of God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing;
He bled and died to take away my sin.
https://hymnary.org/text/o_lord_my_god_when_i_in_awesome_wonder
The gospel of God’s grace, which is centered in the cross of Jesus Christ, contains liberating power for all who come to believe. This power is sufficient to save any sinner, justify all the ungodly, sanctify all justified sinners, and glorify every sanctified saint.
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
Question 3. What two types of people are listed in 1 Corinthians 1:18? What are the different reactions evidenced by each of them?
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Matt writes, "Those who reject the cross find it offensive and foolishness. Those who humbly accept the Gospel message see their own sinfulness and depravity and know that it is the only way to be saved; that works will get them nowhere."
Mike L. writes, "There are those who are perishing, that is dying in their sins, and then there are those who put their trust in the Gospel and are being saved for eternal glory. Those who are perishing think that the message of the cross is for fools and the ones who believe, the cross is their lifeline and the power to live a holy and sanctified life."
The Greek word translated as “power” in 1 Corinthians 1:18 is "dunamis" from where we get our word "dynamite." The cross of Jesus Christ contains explosive power to save us from our sins, to knock down every evil stronghold, to give repentance to hardened sinners, to defeat the power of the evil one in our lives.
So, in truth, as we set out on this study of the cross we can expect to come to know, and experience, the power of God in a much more profound way. This should create anticipation in our hearts, knowing that we are embarking on a journey that connects us with the power of God through the cross of Christ.
Paul said the gospel was of "utmost importance":
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved if you hold fast to the word I preached to you - unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Question 4. According to 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, what is of first importance?
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Question 5. According to 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, what is the gospel?
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