Thursday, April 6, 2017
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
THE POWER OF GOD
Several years ago our family took a tour of Gettysburg battlefield in south central Pennsylvania, where, over 150 years ago, Union and Confederate forces fought in what is considered the turning point of the Civil War. Today there are monuments all over that battlefield, marking where particular regiments fought, or indicating how on a certain spot something very important took place during the battle. For example, during the battle Colonel Joshua Chamberlin of the 20th Maine led a daring bayonet charge. After driving back wave after wave of Confederate assaults, his regiment found itself completely out of ammunition. It was either surrender or charge. He chose to charge! The rebels were driven back, and the Union Army was saved from disaster. Today you can find a monument commemorating that famous charge.
Nearly 2000 years ago, a great battle took place on the cross of Christ, with Jesus, the Captain of our Salvation, coming out the winner over sin, death, and hell. But the cross is more than a monument to mark a great battle. The cross is, and remains, an unstoppable power which continues to set free and change the lives of countless millions. The message of the cross, as Paul reminds us, is the power of God. Jesus continues to touch and conquer hearts by this good news, this precious Gospel message of the cross and empty tomb!
He has touched your heart, dear Christian, and He continues to touch your heart through the preaching of the Cross. The cross is a power in your life. It has freed you to no longer serve sin, pleasure, money, or Satan. The message of the cross is a power that sets you free to live for God and neighbor! It's your power to charge into the world with the mighty weapon of God's Word of love, sharing it with any and all.
