THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS

The Cross of Christ divides mankind into two camps ... 

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. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-19

The Lord doesn't expect Christians to engage in an intellectual debate with those who are lost. He chooses instead to confound 'human wisdom' by displaying His own Divine Wisdom and Power. He accomplishes this by saving ordinary people through the 'message of the cross'. God’s best evidence to refute worldly wisdom is a transformed life. 

MacArthur  - It is a contrast between the foolishness of men (which they think is wisdom) and the wisdom of God (which they think is foolishness). That God would take human form, be crucified, and raised in order to provide for man’s forgiveness of sin is an idea far too simple, foolish, and humbling for the natural man to accept. That one man (even the Son of God) could die on a piece of wood on a nondescript hill in a nondescript part of the world and thereby determine the destiny of every person who has ever lived seems stupid. It allows no place for man’s merit, man’s attainment, man’s understanding, or man’s pride. 

Paul expressed grief over those who had intellectually rejected the 'message of the cross' ...

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. Philippians 3:18-19

How difficult it is for some highly intelligent people to admit that in their own wisdom, they cannot answer life’s most profound questions. The late Carl Sagan was an astronomer, planetary scientist, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, and author. Even though he spoke of 'some kind of force or power that enabled the universe to create itself' ... he was stubbornly opposed to any mention of God. 

Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” John 9:39

It is our privilege to bear the message of the cross and to live it before men ... that Christ may be glorified.