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¹⁸  For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written, “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.” ²⁰ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ²² For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18-24 (NASB, emphases added)

An unbelieving world sees little in the cross, apart from a form of jewelry, fraud, or weakness. Unregenerate hearts possess no life in the Spirit to grant light and understanding, so they reason darkly. Paul speaks to these natural inclinations of the unsaved in this passage; present then and present today.

In our age, segments of Christianity-so-called have deliberately removed the cross either physically from their presence, or verbally from their messaging. The rationale given is that the cross is too offensive and divisive. It hinders the invitational model within that denomination or fellowship network. Upbeat is better. The cross is a downer.

Paul states the cross is “…foolishness to those who are perishing...” (:18). I believe more are perishing in the Christendom world of entertainment, comfort and accommodation than those “religious” could ever fathom.

Those that truly receive “the Word of the Cross” will not respond by mere comfort or emotion, but by confrontation of undeniable Truth. The “Word of the Cross” is the content of the message concerning it: Christ’s substitutionary death for us, by crucifixion. While “other” meanings of the cross are imagined, true meaning is that which God gives to it.

Through the “…foolishness of the message preached…” (:21) that Truth is heard, and believed, and appropriated by faith.  It should be plain that one cannot be saved without the entrance of this truth of God’s message concerning the Cross, in His Word. (Ps. 119:130; Ro. 10:8, 17; Eph. 1:13).

Let’s hear Paul describe this “message of the cross,” so we don’t miss the Truth:

1 Corinthians 15:1-5 ¹ Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. ³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

The Cross is God’s central message, in Jesus Christ. Yup. It’s not the “golden rule,” or the 10 commandments, or simply “love.” It is The Cross. There, God’s Grace was extended to us, through judgment and punishment for our sin poured out on His Son. Where holiness and love met and God’s justice was satisfied. His holiness remained undiminished; all was accomplished through the sacrifice of Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God.  2 Corinthians 5:21 states; He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

That’s a big “so that” in that verse—“…we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” I see it as a great explanation of 1 Cor. 1:18 (above) “…us who are being saved…”

The Cross provides us with God’s power (through the Holy Spirit given) to continue to “work out” (Phil. 2:12-13) our salvation while sojourning in this present world. The received Savior unleashes the power of God—the indwelling Holy Spirit in us—to give us wisdom and discernment (1 Cor. 1:24 above). The new birth continually transforms us, by the power of the Word of God through His Spirit. This sanctifying work yields new perspectives, priorities, outlooks, values, motivations and actions! He saved us then, now, and for all eternity. That is why we call Him Savior!

The Corinthians demonstrate both God’s transformative power (see 1 Cor. 6:9-11!) and the ongoing need for yieldedness to His Spirit (6:19)! This is no different for our lives today. What do others see when they encounter this body of believers? Is it man’s strength? Clever strategies? Worldly cleverness? Cultural appeal? Christ, or dead men and women walking?

May our testimony be as Paul’s in Galatians 6:14: But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Now that we’ve looked at the “Word of the Cross” (1 Cor. 1:18), what does the Cross mean to you? Is it “Foolishness?” Or, is it the power of God that saved, and is saving me, even now?

Blessings to you in this season of focus upon the Passion of our Savior, Jesus.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said and will He not do it? Or has he spoken, and will He not make it good?” Numbers 23:19

“So that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.” Hebrews 6:18

“In the hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,” Titus 1:2, 3

“While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3:13

We have just passed through a season of chaos in politics. A president was elected as well as other positions in congress. Through it all we have been witness to a variety of political tactics employed to gain the vote of the populace. One of the most widely used is that of promising particular actions. “Vote for me and all of your wildest dreams will come true” – Pedro Sanchez (from the movie Napoleon Dynamite.) As we are all too familiar with, most of these promises are empty. We know that for the most part nothing will ever come of them and that they cannot be counted on. Unfortunately, we are quite callous to this and continue with our lives in a kind of cynicism that nothing will change and not to get our hopes up. This creates an environment of disbelief that infects our ways of thinking and interacting with others. We begin to suspect the meaning behind statements of public figures, friends, and maybe even family. Being awash in such a society of suspicion and distrust we assume the worst as we wish we could hope for the best. 

Now contrast that experience with the season we are now entering, that of Christmas. Pastor Isaac has been sharing, wonderfully, the truth of the Advent season as we celebrate the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. There are over three hundred promises, made by God, through His prophets and each one has been realized in Jesus. God is always true, as it is His character to only be truthful, He cannot be otherwise. Each one of these great promises build on each other and paint an incredible portrait of a Savior who loves us dearly and paid the ultimate price to get us back. As Pastor Isaac shared these prophecies, we also look to a glorious future and a returning King. As each of the promises concerning His first coming were completed in their entirety, so will each of the promises regarding His second coming. No saying one thing and then doing another. No grand promises made, only to go halfway. No sleight of hand and then delivering something that is different than what was promised. Each and every promise will be completed – down to the tiniest detail and in the fullest measure. We can count on and rest in the faithfulness of a God who cannot lie.

As an example, we can look at the created world for insight into God’s nature. What things do we always count on to be consistent? The sun rising and setting, gravity, and all the physical laws that govern our physical world. These have been put in place by our Creator and have always been the same for eons. No one questions if the sun will rise in the morning; no one wonders if gravity will continue to keep my feet firmly planted on the earth or if an apple tree will produce apples and not potatoes. We just accept it to be so, because we have never had any reason to believe it would change. Yet why do we doubt God? Do we have any reasonable evidence that what He says or promises will not be so? No. He is consistently and forever faithful. 

What we do have is an enemy who is the very opposite. He is the father of lies and cannot tell the truth. Jesus speaking to the religious leaders of His day says this in John 8:44 –  ^“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” He is the one who tells half-truths, who attempts to deceive and who casts doubt on the goodness of our Heavenly Father. Human beings are also capable of lying. We ourselves have been involved in telling half-truths or allowing deceptions to run freely, if it benefits us. 

So don’t be surprised at a world that lives on lies and deception. That is the natural order of a fallen world. But be encouraged that we have a heavenly Father who cannot lie and who will always be truthful and who is Truth. Meditate on that truth for a while and then take a good look at the amazing promises we have been given in His Word. I guarantee you will find the light of His presence overpowering the dark deceptions of this world, and you will be satisfied.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

James 1:5 (NASB)

The epistle of James seems to me as a New Testament book of Proverbs. It is notable for the frequent use of short, punchy sentences, each filled with a sermon’s worth of meaning and application.

Are you familiar with any of these things? Jealousy. Selfish ambition. Relational landmines. Anger. Partiality, bias, discrimination. Coldness; lack of empathy and compassion. Hateful speech and control of the tongue. Infighting.

Yes, these are all-too-common struggles, from family dynamics, to the workplace, amid our engagement in society and yes, even within the church. Why is this? It is no news flash. Human nature is sinful. None of us get a free pass to spotless living, regardless of how good we think we are in the recesses of our own minds.

James doesn’t go long on diagnosis and short on prescription. He lays out our issues and gets right to the answers. What will bring true life change to these sinful patterns? Where do we find lasting heart-change? Nope, it’s not in more seminars, or a few more medicines, or changing locations and leaving your problems behind.

Since James is addressing believers (:2; “brethren”) bear with me as I point out the obvious: of first priority is our need for a relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior. Coming to Him is the starting point. This must be a good reminder for us, in our heart for the unsaved. It is pointless to steer an unbeliever to adopt Christian attitudes and behaviors when they lack the Spirit of Christ within. The Word to an unregenerate person is incomprehensible—for the Spirit of God is not resident to enlighten their heart (see 1 Cor. 2). They need Him.

So the essential need is in trusting in Jesus’ work for their salvation. To recognize that their sin-debt is paid in full, and there is nothing else of greater priority than coming to Him. Then, the life lived is for His Glory, a life that cannot “work” for its salvation, but one that lives to demonstrate, “He is my Savior and Lord, and I respond in loving obedience to Him; His Word and His Spirit.”

So, in his talking to us believers, James is not presenting some great ideas to consider. Not a hint of “weigh this, and maybe put the things you agree with into practice…” Nope. Agreement with the Lord means a confession of my sin, and recognition of Him and His Word as right and holy and non-negotiable for me, the Christ-follower. For a born-again believer, the Word is received by Faith. I do not debate its veracity (its utter truthfulness!) It is not merely something to weigh among other “equal” opinions. The Holy Spirit will reveal its plain meanings and applications for my life, now. I, by faith, have already resolved to do as He directs me. So James, like Proverbs, is not “really good advice”. It is the wisdom of God, for His children.

In the heading verse above, I see that James begins with a big one: “What do you need?” How to answer? Do I need to get my way? To have respect? To gain more power? To receive a carefree, easy life?

No, God states that our big need, as His children, is for His wisdom to fill us. So in the admonition of James 1:5-8 (so please now read it) you will see direct action points, not merely good suggestions to consider: I humbly confess that I lack wisdom. I humbly ask for God’s wisdom. I believe in faith that God hears me, and moves to provide for me. I without wavering agree that I will act on what God reveals to me, without waffling about the directives. God graciously and abundantly gives to me the wisdom that I need (1:5). This admonition goes on to say that we cannot trifle with God and His Word (1:6-8). You cannot dabble in God’s Word, twist it for your own devices, and expect to receive His blessing and approval!

I feel led to state that this is God’s wisdom from above, not “below” (cp. 3:13-16 with 3:17-18). Isn’t it powerful to see that James shows this constant obedience to be rooted in our walking with humility (4:6-10)!

So let me close by encouraging us to dig into this Word. Prayerfully read James, and learn what God says about the common struggles I’ve mentioned above: jealousy, selfish ambition, relational landmines? (3:13-4:12) Anger? (1:19-20) Partiality, bias and discrimination? (2:1-13) Coldness, lack of empathy and compassion? (1:27; 2:14-20; 5:1-6) The tongue and hateful speech? (1:26; 3:1-12; 4:11-12) Infighting? (4:1-2)

See what other things the Lord will grant you wisdom in, as you bow before Him in worship, sit before Him in receiving instruction, and walk before Him in all your ways, “…for wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul…” Proverbs 2:10 (NASB)