THE CROSS OF CHRIST

"The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God" -- 1 Corinthians 1:18

Devotion 11 of 13

THE OFFENSE OF THE CROSS

"And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is THE OFFENSE OF THE CROSS ceased" (Gal 5:11 KJV). "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the ENEMIES OF THE CROSS of Christ" (Phil 3:18 KJV). "As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer PERSECUTION FOR THE CROSS of Christ" (Gal 6:12 KJV).

Death to the flesh

The cross of Christ is offensive to the flesh because it speaks of its death. Flesh, or the Adamic nature, is crucified with Christ, losing its priority--in fact, losing its right to live. The cross of Christ will not allow the human nature to dominate, and demands that it die, for it cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Therefore, the cross of Christ is offensive to it.

Paul refused to succumb to the religious bigots of his day, who were governed by the flesh. There were the Judaizers who wanted him to preach circumcision as an appointed means of coming into God's favor. They would treat him well if he did this--but God would not. Rather than exalting flesh, he chose to preach a message that offended those preferring flesh to Spirit--the message of the cross.

Antagonistic to the earthly minded

The offense of the cross is antagonistic to earthly-minded people. Their preference for "earthly things" constitutes them an enemy of the cross of Christ. Think of these words. "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things" (Phil 3:19).

That is a startling truth, particularly in view of the prevalence of that mindset in the professed Christian community. A condition that makes one an enemy of Christ's cross and dictates a destructive end is most serious, to say the very least! Yet, the characteristics of those fitting this category are altogether common within the professed church. 1) Their god is their belly, or earthly appetites. 2) They glory in things of which they should be ashamed. 3) Their attention is upon earthly things. Conditions like this cannot exist without excluding oneself from the benefits of Christ's cross.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Christ I thank You for deliverance from the flesh and its power. I pray for grace to continue crucifying the flesh, by faith putting it upon the cross.

-- Tomorrow: OUR IDENTITY WITH THE CROSS --