“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

When last have you really looked at a butterfly? Notably brilliant people can look at this beautiful creature of God. They can consider the amazing metamorphosis that takes a caterpillar through the stages of development to an aerodynamic butterfly. They can contemplate the incredible flying ability of this insect and they can even understand the intricate genetic codes that carry all the information about the shape of the wings, the colours, etc. But, they cannot see God’s hand in creating it and they cannot give Him the glory for it because they don’t want to consider the option of a Creator.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.” – Romans 1:20-22

In the same way, the message of the cross is foolishness to the world. They just cannot understand the fact that Jesus loves them, that He died in their place and that He offers a new life to those who give themselves to Him. They just don’t get it because to deny one self and to take up the Cross seems foolish to them. To us, who are saved, it is unfathomable to think about how they can miss the obvious. How can they miss the Creator’s perfect design in the butterfly? How can they not understand that Jesus went to the cross out of His love for them?

Oftentimes we bring them even more facts and figures to try and open up their eyes to the truth of God. We frequently make the mistake of trying to win their minds by the wisdom of our words, instead of just preaching the cross of Christ to them. When Paul got to Corinth, he clearly steered away from this.

“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.”
– 1 Corinthians 1:17

The message of the cross should always be the emphasis of our ministry. God can use wise words and He wants us to reach people at whatever level they are at. But, without preaching the message of the cross to them, they cannot be saved.

“For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” – 1 Corinthians 1:19-21

Those who believe the message of the cross are saved eternally. Those who consider themselves too wise to believe that simple message are lost eternally. The cross divides the saved from the unsaved. But the cross also unites the saved in Christ. Today, we see people of all religions bringing their wisdom together for the cause of unity, but the gospel of Christ cuts across the grain of the ecumenical environment and contemporary thought. The Lord Jesus called Himself a divider of men, and the dividing line is His cross.

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” – 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

Neither philosophy, nor religion, nor worldly wisdom can lift anyone out the cesspool of this life. It never has and it never will. The message of the cross alone is the power and wisdom of God to save those who believe. When we realize that only God can change hearts and lives, we’ll start to see that the foolishness of God is wiser than men. The cross of Christ is the only option available.

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
– Galatians 6:14)

The message of the cross sets us apart from the world and unto God. When we reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God by the cross of Christ (Romans 6:11), we simply have no more desire to walk according to the flesh (Romans 8) or according to our own lusts (2 Peter 3:3), but according to the Spirit. The cross of Christ now stands between us and the world and we either glory in the cross of Christ or we become an enemy of that Cross.

“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame— who set their mind on earthly things.” – Philippians 3:18-19

The message of the Cross sets our minds on heavenly things. When we truly believe the good news that Jesus paid it all and that He is alive, we’ll be overwhelmed by joy. Beware of those who try to get you focused on this life, worried about this life, or caught up in this life, because they are enemies of the Cross. The message of the Cross is clear: Forget about yourself, look towards eternity and live for heaven because Christ is coming back soon!

In Christ,
The Searchlight team