The power and wisdom of God
Believers see the cross not as a symbol of defeat but as the means through which God's power is displayed.
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.
1 Corinthians 1:18
1 Corinthians 1:18 highlights a profound truth about the message of the cross and its reception by two distinct groups of people.
To those who are perishing, meaning those who do not believe in Christ and are spiritually lost, the message of the cross seems foolish. The idea that salvation and eternal life come through the death of Jesus on the cross is incomprehensible and appears to be folly to them. This is because understanding and accepting the message of the cross requires spiritual insight that only comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
Conversely, to us who are being saved, the word of the cross is the power of God. Believers see the cross not as a symbol of defeat but as the means through which God's power is displayed. It is through the sacrifice of Jesus that we are reconciled to God, forgiven of our sins, and granted eternal life. This perspective is not something that can be comprehended through human wisdom alone but is understood through the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers.
There is a stark difference in perception between believers and non-believers regarding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. For believers, it is a foundational truth that reveals the power and wisdom of God for our salvation.
—Faith
Prayer of the Day
Heavenly Father, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude, acknowledging the profound sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross for my sins. I am humbled by the depth of Your love, a love so vast that You would send Your only Son to bear the weight of my transgressions.
Thank You for the gift of forgiveness and the promise of eternal life through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Your grace is beyond my understanding, and Your mercy is new every morning. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, I am no longer bound by sin and death, but am free to live in the victory You have secured for me.
I pray that my life would be a reflection of Your love and sacrifice. Help me to live each day in gratitude and obedience, bearing witness to the hope that is within me. May my words and actions always point others to the love of Christ.
In Jesus' name, I pray,
Amen.