When was the last time you thought about the cross of Christ in a positive manner? I have found that I have not thought about the cross of Christ very much in years past. Furthermore, when I have thought about it, it has been in a negative way.
Let me explain... I was taught that the cross was an instrument of death. When I was taught this, my teacher was teaching how people dwell only on the crucifixion. He was right in what he taught, but somehow it made a negative, all prevailing doctrine about the word cross to my own shame.
Let's go to the Word and allow the Word to teach us what our heart should be toward the cross of Christ.
I Corinthians 1:7 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Paul was sent to preach the gospel. His preaching was not with the wisdom of words.
The word wisdom is sophia {sof-ee'-ah} meaning:
1) Wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters. 1a) The wisdom which belongs to men. 1a1) spec. The varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs. 1a2) The science and learning. 1a3) The act of interpreting dreams and always giving the sagest advice. 1a4) The intelligence evinced in discovering the meaning of some mysterious number or vision. 1a5) Skill in the management of affairs.
I don't know what usage (definition) of the word wisdom applies here in Corinthians, but I don't need to know. Whichever one it is, we are not to present the gospel in this manner.
We are not to present the gospel elevating our skill or intellect, or to flaunt our learning and knowledge. He didn't present the gospel in such a way as to reduce it to a set of maxims and proverbs making God a spiritual vending machine. Just put the money in and pull the lever and out comes peace or joy, etc. Just go through the motions without any heart or faith involved.
When Paul taught the gospel, he presented it in such a way as to point to the cross of Christ and its accomplished work. His preaching of the gospel protected and directed men to the cross instead of away from the cross. According to this verse it is possible to teach the gospel in such a way as to make the cross of Christ of none effect.
We do this when we put more emphasis on man's ego, knowledge and education than on the completed work of the cross and our Lord Jesus. We never want to put ourselves in a position that our preaching of the gospel becomes counterproductive.
Let's look at some other translations of I Corinthians 1:17.
BBE I Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me, not to give baptism, but to be a preacher of the good news: not with wise words, for fear that the cross of Christ might be made of no value.ESV I Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not sent me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.NAB I Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not sent me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, and not with wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.NJB I Corinthians 1:17 After all, Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel; and not by means of wisdom of language, wise words which would make the cross of Christ pointless.
Research is good; however, if the result of our research only produces formulas and catch phrases then we point people in another direction, a direction away from God and our lord.
When we teach people to depend on man's words and wisdom, we make the work of the cross pointless! We become the enemies of the cross, putting us at enmity with God and our lord's accomplished work on the cross.
Some are more concerned with what the Greek is saying than how they may practically apply the scriptures in daily living. Have you been deceived away from the cross of Christ?
I know all about the resurrection and the giving of the holy spirit on the day of Pentecost. And, yes, they are all important parts of the full gospel message.
However, if you have an attitude about the cross that the mere mention of the cross of Christ or the sign of the cross produces a sour taste in your mind, you might want to rethink your position.
NLT Philippians 3:18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.NJB I Corinthians 1:18 The message of the cross is folly for those who are on the way to ruin, but for those of us who are on the road to salvation, it is the power of God.
Do you think that this verse applies only to new converts? We are on the road to salvation.
NIV Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work our your salvation with fear and trembling.
When was the last time you heard the message of the Cross? I would like to suggest that if you have turned away form the cross of Christ, you have turned away from the power of God. Without the cross, we have no resurrection, ascension, or power of the holy spirit.
Those who have been called by God's grace, and who have responded by faith realize that Christ is God's power and God's wisdom. Not only the Christ of the manger, or the temple or the market place-but he is also the Christ of the cross.
The cross clothed in the wisdom of words empties the power of God in a believer's life. If you are lacking power in your life and ministry, perhaps it's because the preaching of the cross has become foolishness to you.
Now, in the time remaining, let me list for you several completed, accomplished realities by the cross.
Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
1 - RECONCILIATION
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 - ENDURANCE
I 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.
3 - POWER OF GOD
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
4 - PEACE
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
5 - Released us from Everything CONTRARY TO US.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
6 - Teaches us HOW TO OBEY
NLT Galatians 6:14 But God forbid, that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Because of that cross, my interest in this world died long ago, and the world's interest in me is also long dead.
7 - IT TEACHES US TO BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED
We are not to present the gospel elevating our skill or intellect, or to flaunt our learning and knowledge. When Paul taught the gospel, he presented it in such a way as to point to the cross of Christ and its accomplished work.
Now, I am not advocating we all go out and buy a cross. However, the next time you see one, maybe you will think of the accomplishments of Christ. Thanks to Calvary, we don't live in bondage any more.
To be continued …ÿ
Note: All scripture is from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. NIV indicates The New International Version, NLT indicates the New Living Translation, NAS indicates the New American Standard version, NKJV indicates the New King James Version, ASV means the American Standard Version, NJB means the New Jerusalem Bible, BBE means the Bible in Basic English, DBY means the Darby translation, NAU means the American Standard Version, 1995 Edition, and NAB means the New American Bible translation. For more information, go to the Works Cited page.