The Gospel
1 Corinthians 1:17-18
"17. For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
18. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of GOD."
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Paul is exhorting us that when we speak we are to tell people about Jesus Christ, the only Son of GOD, and how he died for our sins so that we could be righteous before a Holy GOD. The cross was the instrument of the New Covenant. The cross is why he came. Without the cross we do not have the shed blood of Christ. Without the blood, we do not have the forgiveness of our sins. Without forgiveness of sins, we have no part with GOD, no Holy Spirit to lead us to His presence, no wisdom from GOD, we cannot understand scripture, and we have no right to heaven. No peace in this life, no healing, no joy, no companionship with GOD. If that wasn't enough, we choose the bottomless pit by not choosing Christ. We stay blinded to the truth by satan.
It is no easy choice. But to get your life, you have to give it away. You have to mean it, you can't just glibly spout "Oh I know Jesus!" Even the demons know Jesus. But even they have the good sense to tremble. You cannot serve the lusts of this life and GOD too. He will not share your heart this way. If you choose this life, you are denying Christ. GOD is holy, and does not compromise.
The wisdom of this world is foolishness compared to GOD. And to survive in this world, you need GOD's wisdom. To survive the attacks of satan, you need GOD's wisdom. satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He comes to confuse and mislead. He is the father of all lies. He is the absolute best at leading people away from the only true GOD. Only GOD can protect you from deception and it is only by the shed blood of Christ.
It is a free gift. You cannot earn it by any other means. Faith in Jesus is the only way to the Father. Only an honest choice from a willing heart will do. GOD will do the rest. He will come and fill you with peace. But you must choose to not indulge in sin any more. GOD can make you strong if you will just ask Him.
If these truly are the end days, satan is going to come full force and use every trick in the book to get us to sin, believe false doctrine, deny Christ as the only son of GOD, deny our allegience to Him, bow down to peer pressure, even send our own families and friends to the death for their faith.
Acts 4:8-12
8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,
9. if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
10. let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead — by him this man is standing before you well.
11. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
12. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Romans 1:16
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
"17. For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
18. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of GOD."
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Paul is exhorting us that when we speak we are to tell people about Jesus Christ, the only Son of GOD, and how he died for our sins so that we could be righteous before a Holy GOD. The cross was the instrument of the New Covenant. The cross is why he came. Without the cross we do not have the shed blood of Christ. Without the blood, we do not have the forgiveness of our sins. Without forgiveness of sins, we have no part with GOD, no Holy Spirit to lead us to His presence, no wisdom from GOD, we cannot understand scripture, and we have no right to heaven. No peace in this life, no healing, no joy, no companionship with GOD. If that wasn't enough, we choose the bottomless pit by not choosing Christ. We stay blinded to the truth by satan.
It is no easy choice. But to get your life, you have to give it away. You have to mean it, you can't just glibly spout "Oh I know Jesus!" Even the demons know Jesus. But even they have the good sense to tremble. You cannot serve the lusts of this life and GOD too. He will not share your heart this way. If you choose this life, you are denying Christ. GOD is holy, and does not compromise.
The wisdom of this world is foolishness compared to GOD. And to survive in this world, you need GOD's wisdom. To survive the attacks of satan, you need GOD's wisdom. satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He comes to confuse and mislead. He is the father of all lies. He is the absolute best at leading people away from the only true GOD. Only GOD can protect you from deception and it is only by the shed blood of Christ.
It is a free gift. You cannot earn it by any other means. Faith in Jesus is the only way to the Father. Only an honest choice from a willing heart will do. GOD will do the rest. He will come and fill you with peace. But you must choose to not indulge in sin any more. GOD can make you strong if you will just ask Him.
If these truly are the end days, satan is going to come full force and use every trick in the book to get us to sin, believe false doctrine, deny Christ as the only son of GOD, deny our allegience to Him, bow down to peer pressure, even send our own families and friends to the death for their faith.
Acts 4:8-12
8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,
9. if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
10. let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead — by him this man is standing before you well.
11. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
12. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Romans 1:16
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
posted by Linda R. | 10:33 AM
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