Scripture

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction, but we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

Observation

Paul appeals for the Corinthians (and us) to live in harmony. There should be no quarrels amongst christians, and no faction revolving around celebrity pastors.

Christ has not been divided into factions. Nobody has been baptised into the name of Paul or Apollos.

Paul was not commissioned to baptise but to preach the Good News. This he does without clever words, but just with the centrality of the cross. The cross is foolish to those who are perishing, but the power of God to those who are being saved.

Application

It bemuses me the way that so-called “progressives” condemn christians for every form of prejudice and bigotry that can be imagined, but think Muslims are just wonderful and need to have their rights protected, even enhanced.

We hear a lot about Islamophobia, defined as an irrational fear or hatred of Muslims. Christophobia, which is far more prevalent, is never discussed.

Those who claim to hate religion generally hate christianity in particular, while tolerating other religions.

Only one religion in all the world has a cross at the centre, and a crucified saviour at its heart. It is the cross that is offensive above all else.

People like to think that they are OK, and not as bad as some paedophile or mass murderer. They don’t want to know that they are a sinner and need salvation.

The Good News is that Christ has paid the price for son once and for all. We don’t have to make sacrifices or do good deeds to prove to God that we are good enough. In Christ it is all done.

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for the cross. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay for my sin. Amen.