The Main Thing?

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. 1 Corinthians 1:18

It’s good to know context and background when a preacher explains a passage of Scripture, but these should not take over from the Gospel message. A bit of sociology, or psychology can be good in their place, but these should not overshadow the reason for the good news of the Gospel. In fact if pushed to make a choice, I would side every time with the Gospel message over any other background information or ‘-ology’ used.

Let’s keep the main thing the main thing. No second place, no doubts and nothing to please or ease the mind of any who may need, and be looking for truth and salvation. It is the Word of God that saves. Nothing else, and certainly no other philosophy of life.

The church in general is slowly becoming less relevant to society with declining attendance, and this could be because we have diluted the message to make it palatable and not so likely to offend or cause embarrassment. After all, we have redefined sin to the point that it is not the same thing we are warned to shun in the Bible. The in word is ‘unity’ and if we are not seen as uniform with other views we show ourselves as being out of step. The preaching of the cross is, and always has been, madness to the unchurched, disinterested, or unsaved, but to those of us who are constantly being saved, and enjoy our salvation, it is the power of God. That is power to change a life from the inside out. Power to make others see God at work. Power to heal physically, emotionally and spirituality. With all that power at our disposal, why should it matter that the rest of the world sees the cross as outdated? The Gospel of Jesus Christ is needed now, more than ever before, and it shouldn’t be diluted to taste!