1Corinthians 1 : 18 - 25 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 1:20 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? 1:21 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. 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
There was once spoken in my hearing , something completely contrary to what is found written in the above scripture , it saddens my heart to the core that there are some, due to lack of knowledge, whom teach and believe that there are other means of coming to God, and more effective means of leading people to God, other than the preaching of Christ and Him crucified. If the preaching of the Cross has become ineffective in obtaining salvation leading to eternal life, than in vain did the Messiah, Jesus Christ suffer and die on the the cross, and in vain was He resurrected on the third day. Yet the Word of God predicted such apostasy and error to occur in the latter time, and many are being led away from the path of salvation to the road leading to the gates of eternal condemnation.
2 Peter 2:1-2 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
There is nothing that has ever exsisted and will ever exsist , that could be likened to the work of grace , the Grace of God granted unto a sinner through the suffering and undeserving death of the One who is above all, the King of kings, the LORD of lords, Jesus Christ the Messiah. No greater atonement of sin could ever exsist to bring back man from his fallen state, and in none other can righteousness be found, than the righteous Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, but perished for the redemption of all sinners. For as it us written:
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: And further it states: John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Why then do some believe that the cross is ineffective in this day and age as a means of obtaining salvation? The greatest hinderens in this day and age, are the false preachers and teachers,the false professors in Christ, those whom have not the Spirit of God, but function by the deceiving spirit of the world.
Jesus Christ , the Son of God came in the flesh, not only to redeem sinners from eternal death, but as the ultimate example of holiness , and a sanctified life, for all believers of the Truth. A life of holiness, a constant and earnest striving toward holines in the sight of God, is one of the proofs of the true work of grace in a believer's life. The Word of God commands all whom are in Christ, to walk as Jesus walked. When a believer professes their faith in Christ, and claim to have had the work of grace done in their lives, yet lack the sancticity that accompanies the true work of grace,this leaves room enough for those on the outside to question the effectiveness of the work of grace,thus leading to questions on the effectiveness of the message of Christ and Him crucified. Therefore it can be said that where false professions of faith are made, the effectivenes in preaching Christ and Him Crucified is undermined, due to the lack of example of a sanctified life. Thus leading those on the outside to follow destructive doctrines that teach other means of obtaining salvation.Therfore when the message of the cross is preached by true professor of the faith, one in which the true work of grace has been done through the Father, one who strives after a holy life, the preaching of Christ and Him crucified, is done in all effectiveness, because of the presence of God's Holy Spirit in that individual's heart. For who is there that has ever converted another by elegance in speech? Or whom can receive true conversion from one with worldy intellect or wisdom ? Who has by means of good works obtained salvation ? For if it was up to man to save themselves or to save others, who would obtain salvation? Salvation is not from man, nor is it by the decision of man. Salvation is only from God and through the work of God by His Holy Spirit, through the knowledge of the truth obtained through the preaching of Jesus Christ Son of God and Him crucified for the redemption of sinners
1Corinthians 2:2-5
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
In my personal experience whilst growing up , the message of the cross was indeed preached , and yes there are very few people across the world, whom have never heard of Christ and Him crucified. Yet so few conversions occur. This is not due the ineffectiveness of the message, but due to the false doctrines taught, that are leading many away from truth that can only be found in Christ. My salvation came on the day I realised how appalling y sins really were, on that day I realised the impossibility of a self lasting change, I knew I needed a savior , and if I had never heard the message of Christ and Him crucified, I would not have known whom to call upon when my life was at its most unbearable state. God had long ago planted the seed even before I ever understood the meaning of salvation, but when God so willed it, on the day which He for knew before the beginning of ages, the day He would come and do the work of grace in my life. On this day I was led to remember the Name above every Name, Jesus Christ, King of kings, LORD of lords, crucified to redeem a sinner like me. It doesn't matter whom preached this message to me, even as Paul writes "whether preached in truth or prentense, Christ is preached, and in this I rejoice, yes and will rejoice". Whether one has heard this message preached a million times, if God has granted you ears to hear, one day , on the day that the Father had willed for to hear, or on the day you are called to remember the message of the cross preached to you in the past, you will hear, you will remember the Name of the only One who can save sinners, Jesus Christ Son of God. All glory be to God in Christ our eternal LORD and Savior. Amen.
