Thursday, June 11, 2009

The foolishness of the (grace) cross of Christ...

"There is something inherently paradoxical about the cross and the message of Christianity. There is something absurd about the Gospel.

* To lose your life is to save it.

* Unless a grain of wheat dies, it can not bring life.

* They who are last will be first and they who are first will be last.

To take up the cross is to embrace the power of God. It doesn’t make sense. Never has. It is very foolish – unless you see it from the perspective of faith in Christ. For believers it is the very power that transforms lives.

Shortly after describing the foolishness of the cross in verse 18 of 1 Corinthians, Paul went on to quote the end of Isaiah 29:14.
The Lord God said: Because these people draw near to me with their mouths and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is a human commandment learned by rote; so I will again do amazing things with this people, shocking and amazing. The wisdom of their wise shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning shall be hidden."

Its interesting, God had a plan, that plan was the cross, the cross would amaze, confound, seem foolish, shocking but it would institute a new way, one which if believed in, had the power to destroy performance based living, legalism, dry religion, vain worship, faithlessness...if believed in would usher in for the believer a real relationship...

His righteousness instead of our self righteousness...

7 comments:

Alan Hiu said...

Amen Craig! Jesus' deed is always against our logical mind... That's how faith comes in.

Law is more logical... do good get good, do bad get beat.

Our Lord had chosen a foolish way (according to the world) but it is the power and wisdom of God manifested!

Anonymous said...

sorry to burst your long held tranditonal view of salvation which cut no ice with most people

truth is, no earthly king will die or lose power.history has shown earthly kings bring sufferings and death to people - eventually.

jesus is the only king who died so you, the people, might be kings.

that is, the political kingdom, FOOLISHNESS to the world and still is today but things are slowly changing...

and not,as you have been taught....no more trying to obey god through laws and christ has set you free from the law and that garbage taught through apostate christianity

if you understand the battle beween caesar's kingdom and god's kingdom, you will understand where all these "law and grace" fit in
!
so fellows, you have been duped BIG TIME

Anonymous said...

clueless :)

Craig Glenn said...

Hey Anon...here's a thought...why not start your own blog...then you can write all your frustrations down, as opposed to reading mine and getting frustrated...i mean you're welcome to comment, i enjoy it actually...but its just a thought.. :-)

Anonymous said...

i could actually. i could even attempt to write a book but...this is more fun. LOL

Anonymous said...

many do not know that caesar was also known as the "SON OF GOD"
what''s the relevancy?

god's kingdom and caesar's kingdom are diabolically opposed to each other

caesar is a God King oppressing people

whereas jesus is a God king setting people free but how?

too foolish to contemplate and too dangerous a cross to bear i say

better dwell on YOUR "bad habits" and how to overcome YOUR "sins" through grace while you escape the bunsen burner and secure a mansion in the sky :)

Craig Glenn said...

Anon...i like you, where you from?