Thursday, February 10, 2011
The people in the church at Corinth were all wrapped up in themselves. How much they knew, and which leaders had taught them what they knew, were important to them. They got so focused on themselves that they forgot, or at least thought less about, the message of the cross. Paul tells them in 1:1-17 to stop arguing over who is the best leader or the best speaker. Then in 1:18-31 he tells them why. The focus shouldn't be on the messenger and his fancy words or eloquence, but on the message. Paul explains the message simply in verse 18. It is all and only about the cross.
Sunday I was completely broken during the praise service over the message of the cross. Every song we sang was about what Jesus did for us and our commitment to follow Him no matter the cost. My emotions poured over as I sat convicted and then moved to commit my whole life--every part--to the message of the cross. Then when I started the Bible study time, I cried all over again. My own life and all the things I think are so important faded into the background and Jesus lifted up was all I saw. Jesus literally lifted up on the cross. At that point, that despised, cursed, point, He was glorified and exalted. The depth God went to for my rescue from the penalty of sin is beyond my understanding. But one day it will bring me into the glorious presence of God.
Verse 18 also tells us there are only two kinds of people. Those who are perishing and those who are being saved. Both are in the present tense. Those who are perishing are literally in a current state of decay that will lead to their destruction. Those who are being saved have been justified once by Jesus' death on the cross and are in the process of sanctification--being set apart for exclusive use by God--and will one day not be destroyed, but glorified.
I'm in that second group and I really hope you are too. If you have any doubt, please contact me or leave a comment and I'll respond.
Of course, the intellectuals of that day had, and those of this day have, trouble understanding how the message of the cross is true greatness. They would say that money, fame, and power equal greatness. But the cross tells us that self-renunciation and full obedience to God are the marks of greatness.
Sunday I was completely broken during the praise service over the message of the cross. Every song we sang was about what Jesus did for us and our commitment to follow Him no matter the cost. My emotions poured over as I sat convicted and then moved to commit my whole life--every part--to the message of the cross. Then when I started the Bible study time, I cried all over again. My own life and all the things I think are so important faded into the background and Jesus lifted up was all I saw. Jesus literally lifted up on the cross. At that point, that despised, cursed, point, He was glorified and exalted. The depth God went to for my rescue from the penalty of sin is beyond my understanding. But one day it will bring me into the glorious presence of God.
Verse 18 also tells us there are only two kinds of people. Those who are perishing and those who are being saved. Both are in the present tense. Those who are perishing are literally in a current state of decay that will lead to their destruction. Those who are being saved have been justified once by Jesus' death on the cross and are in the process of sanctification--being set apart for exclusive use by God--and will one day not be destroyed, but glorified.
I'm in that second group and I really hope you are too. If you have any doubt, please contact me or leave a comment and I'll respond.
Of course, the intellectuals of that day had, and those of this day have, trouble understanding how the message of the cross is true greatness. They would say that money, fame, and power equal greatness. But the cross tells us that self-renunciation and full obedience to God are the marks of greatness.
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