The Message of the Cross

I have found that most Christians are unaware of the true meaning and significance of the cross of Christ. Let’s review a few scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to teach our hearts. Warning; this message is offensive! See Galatians 5:11.

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.

Notice that the message of the cross is “the power of God”. If it is the power source for Christians then we had better understand it. I cannot say I personally understand it fully. Truly understanding the cross and living the crucified life, I believe, will take a lifetime. So this paper is only a taste of a partial understanding.

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

This is why this paper will fall painfully short in understanding the cross. It cannot be explained with “wisdom of words.” It must be experienced as well or the cross will be meaningless and void. Salvation itself and the power to live a sanctified life will not be in one’s life unless it is experienced.

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Jesus talked about the cross even though he had not gone to the cross yet. I’m sure the Jews were puzzled by the use of the word. To them, only the worst criminals were crucified on a cross. The cross meant only and shame. That is why it was a stumbling block to them. See Gal.3:13. Much could be written about Luke 9:23. It is a hard word and an offense to the hearer. We are called to deny ourselves. Even to the point of a daily to self. We need to examine ourselves daily to see if we served self or Jesus Christ. A high calling but well worth it as Jesus went on to say in the next verse.

Luke 9:24 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

Let’s forget about the benefits of the cross life for a moment. Consider this verse.

Matt. 10:38 He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

We are not even worthy of being called Christians if we don’t walk the crucified life.
The most basic meaning of the message of the cross is that we must die to self and live unto God. If we have truly died to self, how can we live any longer in sin? Any kind of sin. All self interest must die.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

The crucified life means the things of the world no longer have any interest to me. I’m to the world and it is to me.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Not only the things of the world but our fleshly desires as well.

Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Some would say this is too hard of a word. I cannot do it!! You’re right. YOU cannot. But God, through the Holy Spirit working in you, you CAN do it!

2 Corinthians 13:4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

God has given this power to live for Christ by the work of the cross. This work was finished by God Himself, Jesus Christ, by the shedding of His at the cross. Now we have peace with God. We become His children. He dwells within us by the Holy Spirit. The work of the cross, Christ crucified, opened the legal door for God to operate in our lives.

Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the of His cross.

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

I am determined to preach, and live, this message, even if it does offend, because it is the power of God for salvation first and the message for walking in holiness second. I challenge all who read this to do likewise.