Paul clearly laid out his operating principle in his ministry to the Corinthians. In fact, everything he taught is connected back to this truth. What is that truth? He states it three times in different words:
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. (1 Cor. 1:17)
[B]ut we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness . . . (1 Cor. 1:23)
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. (1 Cor. 2:2)
The gospel is the message of Christ and Him crucified. To a church that struggles with divisions, disorders, and difficulties of all sorts, the solution is to go back to the truth of Christ and Him crucified. In this we find all the glory of God manifested. In this we see the grace of God unfolded in all its glory, a glory that completely eclipses the pitiful human glory that sinners crave. In this we see God’s love poured out on those who have sinned against or even hated Him. In the cross we see the fellowship of the triune God, working in concert and perfection for the sake of making those who come to Him into new creations.
Yes, everything in Paul’s writing comes back to the magnifying glass of the cross, through which we see the character of God at work in saving us. And if He saved us through the cross, then He also sanctifies us through the cross.
Is it any wonder that Paul makes his last statement this grand summary?
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. (2 Cor. 13:14)
To that we respond: Amen and Amen. To God be the glory.
Lord, I praise You for the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ. I confess that so often I take it for granted as something that applied only to how I became a Christian in the first place. But through Your Word in 1 & 2 Corinthians, I see that what took place there on the wooden stake two thousand years ago also applies to my life as a Christian. I am reminded that it is the same grace, love, and fellowship that lead me to become more like Christ. Thank You for the rebuke these letters have brought to my soul. And thank You for not giving up on me, but continuously working in me the perfection of Your grace to make me strong in my walk with and for You. Lord, keep reminding me to focus on Christ and Him crucified. For that, ultimately, is what the Good News is all about. Amen.
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