The Foolishness of Preaching

1 Corr 1 v 18 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.

What do you believe about the preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ. Is it
foolishness, or has it cleansed your life from sin?

It's important that you know what you believe.

It's more important to be sure that what you believe is right.

What you believe will determine how you live your life.

How you live will determine your destiny when you die!

I once knew someone who under the influence of drugs believed he could fly. One
day walking along the street he took off. The taxi driver who hit him knew he
couldn't fly. So did all his relatives and friends, at his funeral they were devastated.

He believed he could fly, but he got it wrong. However a few months
earlier the Holy Spirit opened his eyes and he saw Jesus who said "if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me." He looked, he saw, he believed, he trusted Jesus - he got that one right. There can be divided opinions on this, but although he was unable to overcome the drug problem which eventually cost him his life, I believe that the God he called on and tried so hard to serve, is bigger than any drug problem.

I have to admit that although I have been saved for over 40 years the message of
the cross does sound a bit foolish.

When the people God created had;
totally turned their backs upon him,
rejected the way he instructed them to live
they were living in sin and destined for hell.
God sent a baby into the womb of a virgin to redeem them - that means to buy
them back - to pay the price for their sins.

Many people believe that, but to them it is something of history to be remembered at Christmas and Easter.
Others are totally convinced of it.
They live by it.
They sacrifice their lives for it.
They die for it.

What makes the difference? "His Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." There came a time when God in his mercy came calling and in response they opened their whole being to him and received the revelation that it was not simply history,

It is life giving ( a new creation)
It is life changing ( old things passed away, all things become new)
It was free to all (whosoever will may come)

But for as all encompassing as it may be it is neither cheap nor is it common. Some preachers have said that God could not have reached any lower when Jesus was born.

He came to the lowest point of humanity so he could reach the lowest in humanity.

I no longer believe that. God could have had his son born of anyone on the earth. He could have chosen,

A murderer

A thief

A prostitute

But he chose a virgin because with God anything does not go. He is a God of,

Truth

Right living

Honesty

Purity

God's standards are high and he demands that our standards are also high - anything does not go.

To an adulteress at Sychars well Jesus forgave her sins and told her "Go and sin no more." It's not what we were that's important - it's what he has made us.

Yes it does sound a foolish message, (that's why it's so hard to witness) but it works, it is effect and it gives hope and a future to all who believe.

If you do not know Jesus personally ask him to reveal himself to you today with this simple prayer;

Lord Jesus please reveal yourself to me today. Come into my life and reveal my sins and cleanse me from them. Help me to live for you and lead me in right paths. Forgive my sins and fill me with your Holy Spirit.

Viewed 308 times

© 2008David Ritchie - All rights reserved.

This column is used with permission.