THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:16-17).

Devotion 20 of 27

FOOLISHNESS TO THE PERISHING

The uncluttered proclamation of the cross of Christ does not mesh with the world's wisdom. In fact, it is foolishness to the worldly, or those in harmony with "fashion of this world," which is passing away (1 Cor 7:31). However, that is not owing to any deficiency of inferiority in the Gospel of Christ. Rather, it is because they are perishing. The strength of these words is startling! It would be refreshing to hear more of this perspective in a day of religious emptiness. Much of the preaching to which people are exposed is nothing more than "a resounding gong
or a clanging cymbal" (1 Cor 13:1, NIV).

Here is the Spirit's word on this matter. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness" (1 Cor 1:18). Men of God do not alter their message to make it more palatable to those having no appetite for it. They do not indulge in fanciful explanations that supposedly puts the Gospel closer to those repulsed by it. No! They preach the cross, affirming its necessity, power, and effectiveness. If the philosophers of this world consider it foolish, it is only because they are perishing. They are actually in the process of perishing, living with the wrath of God upon them (John 3:36), being "condemned already" (John 3:18). That is simply a statement the case.

And what is it that makes the preaching of the cross appear foolish to those who are perishing? The whole message is in sharp conflict with the wisdom of this world. It announces that God is indignant with sin and those who dwell in it. In fact, "the wrath of God" is revealed in the Gospel itself (Rom 1:16-18). The preaching of the cross affirms that God cursed Jesus, making Him a curse, that we might be delivered from the curse of the law (Gal 3;13). This is not conjecture, it is revelation. The gospel proclaims that God saw the travail of Christ's soul and "was satisfied" (Isa 53:11). Boldly the Gospel declares that God made Jesus to be sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21).

The Gospel shouts out to humanity that "One died for all," that His blood became the basis for peace with God, cleansing from sin, and the ratification of a covenant of grace (2 Cor 5:14; Col 1:20; Rev 1:5; Heb 13:20). It speaks of "atonement," "reconciliation," and "justification" (Rom 5:11; Rom 5:10; Col 1:21; Rom 4:25)--all of which are highly offensive to the worldly mind. The Good News announces that a substitutionary sacrifice was not a novelty, but a necessity--that Almighty God cannot simply overlook or wink at sin. The moral debt created by transgression had to be paid for by a blood offering. All of this seems foolish to those who minds are nailed to the earth like Sisera's head.

Meeting the Need

It appears to the unlearned as though Gospel proclamation ignores the plight of humanity. Some are brash enough to say that it does not even deal with today's issues. Charletons become independently wealthy today by offering supposedly relevant discourses on the issues of the day. However, their failure to preach the cross of Christ loudly declares they are in the broad road that leads to destruction. There is no tolerance in Scripture for those who fail to preach the cross of Christ. Those considering such a procedure to be foolish are simply told they "are perishing!" They are at variance with God, and unless their downward spiral is stopped by believing the Gospel, they will be condemned.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for showing me the wisdom declared in the Gospel.

--Tomorrow: THE POWER OF GOD TO THOSE WHO ARE SAVED --