The power of the cross 

“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but is the power of God to us who are being saved.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB  

The Corinthian church was messed-up. There is not a problem they did not have.  

There is only one way to address problems in the church: point to the Gospel. As the Apostle spends this letter addressing their plethora of issues, he continually points to the power of the gospel. It is important to be reminded of the gospel because we so often forget. The church at Corinth was so forgetful the Apostle Paul even had to remind them what love is (chapter 13)! 

Like the Corinthian church, we are often drenched in sin and distracted with all sorts of things: we are weak. The only way to overcome every weakness in the church and the life of the Christian is the power of the cross.  

The world sees this as foolishness, but those of us who have tried every other way know better. We can affirm what the Apostle says in his second letter to Corinth: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor. 12:9)  

Prayer 

“Heavenly Father, enable me this day to boast in no other power than your power made perfect in my weakness as I live life underneath the weight of the cross made light by the sacrifice of your Son.”