The Preaching of the Cross: God’s Power for Salvation
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18
The core message of Christianity resides in the preaching of the cross. In Romans 3:21-26 and Galatians 3:1-29, we discover that the preaching of the cross concerns righteousness apart from the law and justification found freely by the redemption in Christ. The preaching of the cross represents a radical shift from a self-reliant, works-based approach to righteousness. It takes us away from the demands of the law and any reliance on personal merit, and relies solely on what Christ did through His propitiatory death, burial, and resurrection to save us from our sin.
For believers, the cross is not a symbol of defeat but the very power of God. As highlighted in 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.” God confounded the world by triumphing over and using man’s greatest weakness, death, to accomplish His eternal purpose (Col 2:15).
While the physical act of Jesus dying on the cross is vital, it's equally important to recognize the broader implications of this event. Through the cross:
Our old man is crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6-11, Galatians 2:20)
We have peace with God by the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20)
The barrier between Jews and Gentiles is abolished, and both are reconciled in one body (Ephesians 2:16)
The ordinances of the law are wiped out, no longer condemning you (Colossians 2:13-15)
Contrary to what cultural Christianity might have you believe, the preaching of the cross isn't about personal transformation or turning away from sin on our part. It's about what Jesus accomplished on our behalf. Galatians 6:13-14 declares, “[13] For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. [14] But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” We glory in what Christ has done, not what we have done.
To many, the idea of salvation without works seems counterintuitive or even "foolish." The worldly perspective leans towards merit-based righteousness, a sentiment captured in everyday life in the world around us and also clearly in Galatians 3:3 through the Galatian church trying to rely on their good works: “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”
Good works don’t make you good. There is none righteous, no, not one (Rom 3:10).
The preaching of the cross holds transformative power. It offers the only pathway to salvation, not based on human efforts, but grounded in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This message serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to God's abundant grace. Preach the cross not yourself, for it is the power of God unto Salvation for all who believe!
One last important thing to consider: It is noteworthy to mention the differences in Bible translations. For instance, while the KJV uses the wording “unto us which are saved,” other translations phrase it as “who are being saved.” Such distinctions carry massive doctrinal implications and are based on the differences between the Majority Text (KJV) and the Minority or Critical Text (every other English Bible translation). Salvation, as per the KJV, is not conditional or a future event determined by your continued faithfulness; it is a present reality. Romans 5:9-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 2 Corinthians 2:15-17, Ephesians 2:8-9, and 2 Timothy 1:7-10 emphasize this point very clearly. Bible differences matter: don’t be deceived that the differences don’t impact major doctrines.
