The cross:
Part 3:
The cross is not to be understood purely as an isolated event, or a consequence that threatens men; but an act of kindness coming from the Father and Son. This was the work of the Father, the Son of God and of the Holy Spirit. Their love for us, freed us from the bondage of sin and death. History dosn’t give us a word for word detailed picture of the cross, but what it does, is proclaim Jesus Christ as the crucified one. He is described as mankind’s saving event in relationship to our keeping the law.
Galatians 3:1, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been clearly set forth, crucified among you?” It is not enough to know the truth, and to proclaim we believe, but we must obey.
Because of the sacrificial death of our Savior, the cross became interwoven in the theological construction of religious thinking. Paul wrote,
1 Corinthians 1:17, “Christ sent me (Paul) not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”
The work of the apostles, and Paul were to preach the Gospel, not in “Wisdom of words,” or in philosophical reasoning, secular learning, or with the tongue of an oracle. It was in these things that the church at Corinth set their values.
“Wisdom of words,” in several places in the N.T., can be taken to express a word, a speech, but also doctrine, teaching, reasoning, or a mode of rhetorical argumentation that was highly prized among the Greeks.
The wisdom of men: if it looks like baloney, smells like baloney, and tastes like baloney, it must be baloney.
1 Corinthians 2:1-4, Paul said, “When I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the (Holy) Spirit and of power.”
The message of the cross brings salvation, and redemption to those who believe by faith, who submit to God’s demonstration, and the verdict rendered in the cross of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:19, “For I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Paul was sent to announce the truth; to proclaim Christ crucified and for the sins of the world.
He did it plainly, and simply:
It is presented as the medium of reconciliation;
Ephesians 2:16, “That He (Jesus) might reconcile both unto God (the Father) in one body by the cross.”
Both meaning the Jews and the Gentiles: A natural hatred existed between the two; this because of the differences in their religious forms of worship. Christ death was to remove this enmity, this middle wall of partition. Jesus was now our peace,
verse 17, He “Came and preached peace to you which were afar off (Gentiles) and to them that were near (Jews.)”
So peace to all men has been affected through the cross.
Colossians 1:20, “Having made peace through the blood of his cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself.”
Men are self-seeking, claiming to have words of wisdom, justifing themselves through their many religious expressions, and experiences. The finished work of the cross condemns us, yet at the same time liberates us. Yet, throughout history the message has been mocked by both Jew, and Gentile.
Like the church at Corinth, the message of the cross in many denominational circles is handled carelessly, teaching a perverted form of Christianity, then taking delight in their own religious experiences, and in many cases, falling back into a legalism which effectively denies the cross of Christ.
Part 4:
Philippians 2:8, “Being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, He (Jesus) humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
The gospel and the cross are united forever as one. Jesus, “God manifest in the flesh.”
Philippians 2:6-11, He claimed oneness with the Father, made lower than the angels, humbled Himself, taking on the form of a man, and became obedient unto death.
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, — every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
The glory belongs to Jesus Christ alone. In light of the Corinthians bad behavior, Paul’s asks, 1 Cor.1:13, “Is Christ divided?” The unity of the body of believers in Christ is to be one body. He asked, “Was Paul crucified for you?” The answer should have been a resounding “No!” Paul had not brought salvation to the church, it never belong to him or any man.
It was Jesus suffering, and death; His sacrifice alone that bore our punishment for sin. Sent by the Father as a vindication of mercy for sin; accomplished by the shedding of blood, which is to be received by faith.
Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law.”
1 Corinthians 15:3, “I (Paul) delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” The cross claims us for Christ, and in this do we share His name.
Paul claimed unredeemed Jews and Gentiles remained bound to the law. So why do Christian’s continually seek after signs, or miraculous proofs? We insist that the gospel of Christ conform to man’s wisdom in its teaching, and formality. Do these signs or wonders elevate, and exalt those who seek after them, will they lift them to the status of super-men, and women, are they then to be certified holy?
1 Corinthians 1:22, “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom.”
These were the underlying controversies back then, and remain with us today. In this is the cross left in the shadow of man’s self-centered egos. We reject with ingratitude and with much disobedience the Lord’s claim: Claims that would free us from the bondage of Satan.
Has the teaching of the cross become foolishness? To many it has, but not to us who believe;
Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Why are we not satisfied by receiving only? If we do not receiving this free gift of salvation from God, we judge Him; and the cross diminished. In rejecting the finished work of Christ, Scripture’s reveal,
1 Corinthians 1:19, “I (God) will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
Paul teaches unity, he rejects the legalism of words; the overwhelming emotions in our reasoning of knowledge: he teaches and pleads with us to live our lives in Christ alone, for we are justified by faith alone in the cross of Christ. This is Paul’s message.
Romans 6:6, “Knowing that our old man is crucified with him (Jesus,) that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
Therefore, justification is to be understood only on the basis of the cross.
Galatians 2:19, “For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.”
The work of the cross and the doctrine of justification form an inseparable oneness, and is to be understood equally in terms of each other.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com