We see from 1 Corinthians 1:18 that "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing." It does not come with power to those who are perishing, they want to look away from it, they are offended by it, they prefer happy, cheery light-hearted verses of the Bible; anything but the cross.
It is a well known fact that the same sun that melts ice hardens clay. The message of the cross melts the hearts of believers, warming them with the love of God as shown in the cross; but unbelievers become hardened to it the more they hear it. They become offended at it. They want to shut it out and turn away from it. They fail to see power in it, they lack faith that saves and sets free.
This passage helps us know our spiritual condition: are we finding that the cross is the power of God to us, and we can't get enough of its sweet influence in our lives? Or are we turning from it, thinking it is foolishness to dwell on the cross, like it's only the place of sin and death?
1 Corinthians 1:18 also shows us that the message of the cross is not merely for unbelievers to get saved; it is also for us who are being saved. It is not only the “salvation message;” it is also the sanctification message, the message of transformation, the message of stability and maturity, the message of growth and fruitfulness.
For this reason, Paul wrote to the problem-filled church at Corinth, people who were already believers in the gospel, and said, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). The message of the cross is the message of power that changes hearts and transforms lives. The Corinthians needed to return to this message, and so do we if we want to experience true and lasting freedom from the issues of our flesh.
Finally, let’s notice one more passage. This one was written to the Galatians, who were also dealing with issues of the flesh. The Galatians had started off by hearing the message of the cross for salvation but were led astray by false teachers who taught them to turn to human effort to progress in the Christian life and to find freedom.
To the Galatians, Paul wrote:
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes, Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again, I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?” (Galatians 3:1-5 NIV).
Question 6. Considering Galatians 3:1-5 NIV, where do you see that the message of the cross comes with miraculous power?
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Paul had clearly portrayed Jesus Christ as crucified before the eyes of the Galatians. Through many Old Testament passages and by his own testimony, Paul had shown them the death of Jesus to forgive their sins and break the power of sin in their lives (Galatians 3:1). And yet, in Paul's absence, they had turned to their own efforts attempting to do what only the message of the cross and the power of the Spirit can do.
This is the philosophy of 12-step groups today and diet programs that do not focus on the message of the cross which is the message of power, the message of love and freedom.
Paul challenges the Galatians with questions, inviting them to remember the supernatural, powerful miracles that were worked among them when they believed the message they heard of the crucified Christ. This leads us to the application for our lives today. Take a moment to think about the following questions:
Do you want to experience the power of the Spirit of God in your life?
Do you want to see a miracle of transformation in the way in which you eat, exercise, and live?
If the answer to these questions is “yes,” then you should now understand what to do. You must see the cross, portrayed vividly to you. You must turn from the distractions of man’s methods and wisdom, and instead, focus on the cross, see it, experience it, embrace it, and live it.
The message of the cross is where all the power is - the power of salvation and the power of transformation! It’s the message that is deep and impacting, powerful and life-altering.
Question 7. Have you been distracted from the cross as the Corinthians and Galatians were? Do you now see the need to focus on the message of the cross for ongoing heart change? Please share your thoughts:
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Wende's answer to the above question reveals her personal journey:
"I spent decades distracted from the cross as I desperately tried to fix my sin problem using the wisdom of man. I knew I had a very dysfunctional sin problem that revolved around food and I knew I needed serious help. You name it and I tired it: counting points, calories, fat grams, carbs, weighing and measuring every bite, detoxing, fasting, gym memberships, a 12-step program for food addicts, I could go on and on. Focusing on the cross only is bringing me true freedom from the debauchery and idolatry of food."
Sue's answer is likewise very interesting:
"Of course I have, but thru this class I have been reminded of the cross’s transforming power and have been seeing a change in my life. I went thru a season of apathy for the past year. I was not immersing myself in God’s word. Not teaching Sunday School because of Covid may have played a part. (As teaching makes me accountable to be in his word as I prepared lessons, both physical prep, and more importantly spiritually and with the right heart. )
I had signed up for Mike’s emails but never read them, just kept deleting them. Then one day mid October I read one and immediately enrolled in the Weight Loss Boot Camp. My life has changed so much since then. Being back on course with the Lord, getting hungrier and hungrier for his word. I love being back. I was actually quite surprised that I strayed in the first place, but learned from it how easily sin can ensnare me again if I am not careful. Again I remind myself that I need to remember daily what Jesus did for me at the cross."
Today, we’ve reminded ourselves of the necessity of washing at the cross, and in the next two lessons, we’ll study these same passages to see how they teach us the necessity of walking by the Spirit and warring against our flesh.