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1 Corinthians 1:18
I believe the best way to begin today’s Bible study is to quote today’s Bible verse. The Apostle Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV), “18For 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.” “foolishness to those who are perishing” is referring to those who refuse to believe in Jesus; foolishness to those who Satan has trapped into believing in themselves; foolishness to those who believe that God does not exists; foolishness to those who do not accept Jesus as their Savior; foolishness to those who cannot forgive and follow the teachings of Jesus as He came not only to save us from sin, but to show us how we should live and act in obedience to the life that God would have us to live that reflects His glory in our lives and ultimately returns that glory to Him.
“but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18b). The power of God to overcome the wicked ways of this world; the power of God to overcome the sinful nature; the power of God to save us and give us new life in Him; the power of God to lead us and teach us through His Holy Spirit; the power of God to bring us back into a right standing of life – for eternity.
This is an example of the way in which we all view the message of the cross: as foolishness, or as the power of God.
We all have to make this decision in our own lives. No one can make this decision for us. It is the battle that drives within us all our lives; to live in the sinful nature and continue in it unto death, or to open our hearts to God through the gift of salvation in Christ Jesus – the message of the cross. We who are saved experience the hope and love of a new, forgiven life with a confidence of living in eternal glory through the promise of the gift God has given us. We desire with compassion to share this story with others so that they too may experience the love of God in Christ Jesus.
But there are some – many, if you will, that do not desire to learn anything about God, Jesus, His Holy Spirit, or the salvation that comes through God’s gift to all who will put their faith in Him. This is a mystery of the gospel, but love, and God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). 1 John 4:16 declares, “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” Not everyone will put their faith in Jesus and be saved from an eternity in outer darkness. The Bible teaches us in Matthew 25:30, “And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” But in this tragedy, as long as a person is breathing, salvation can be found by putting your faith in Jesus; by sincerely believing that your sins will be forgiven and that you may begin a new life following the teachings of Jesus in living the life that God has for you. There is power in the name of Jesus to save, but you have to ask, sincerely, in humility to God for the gift of life through Jesus Christ – the message of the cross.
Dear LORD,
The Bible teaches us in John 1:10-13, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” We cannot save the unwilling, but I pray that through this ministry and all who read or listen to it, You will speak to them through Your Holy Spirit and invite them to make the decision to open their hearts to You and the gift You offer in Christ Jesus of forgiveness and a new life of bringing glory to You – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.