“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Has anyone ever made you feel silly for being a Christian?
“Wait a second. So, you ACTUALLY believe that some guy who told everybody he was God ROSE FROM THE DEAD and because of that, you’re going to heaven?”Jesus was just a good moral teacher, but He was not God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18 admits that this message is foolish to those who do not know Christ as Lord. In his book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis writes “Either [Jesus] was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.” He explains that somebody who was making the kinds of claims that Jesus made during His ministry on earth would not have been regarded as a “good moral teacher,” but as a lunatic.
But Paul, the author of 1 Corinthians, does not leave it at that.
He goes on to write about “us who are being saved.” Notice that he writes ‘are being saved,’ not ‘us who are saved.’ This points to the idea that our entire lives, we are undergoing a constant process of sanctification, carried out by the Holy Spirit. Throughout this process, our hearts are refined and the power of God is made known.
As you prepare to go about your day today, let the message of the cross shape your outlook on each task before you. Instead of letting tiredness and frustration get the best of you, stand firm in the faith and live within the power of Christ. Draw your strength from Him.
Reflection Questions
- How does your faith in Jesus shape your actions on a daily basis?
- How does a person go from viewing the message of the cross as foolishness to viewing it as the power of God?
About the Author
Lara Tovmassian graduated from Biola University in May 2013 with a degree in English: Writing and a minor in Sociology. She is passionate about serving the Lord with her skill of writing and has joined the RE:NEW Communications Team to assist with the writing and editing of ministry materials. During her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with loved ones.
About the Artist
Phoebe Shen is a sophomore Legal Studies and Sociology double major at Scripps College. In her free time, she enjoys playing any sport, photography, drawing, and making music. Her home church is at Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles.