The message of the cross is clear ...
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17
A person's eternal destiny is not just a question of whether he understands the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but his response to it. Those who cling to an egocentric worldview see the need for redemption as 'foolishness' ...
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 Son of God came into a lost and dying world to bear witness to the truth ... the wisdom thereof was then placed in the hearts of the 'undistinguished' followers of Christ in order to spread the good news.
God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 1:27–29
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21
If the message of the cross is the very power and wisdom of God, why is it regarded as foolish to some? Here are a few of the reasons ...
1. They see the Bible as an antiquated book written by unlearned men. Scripture is deemed irrelevant, silly, and valueless in this post-Christian era.
2. Blinded by arrogance, they have no desire to know who Jesus Christ is. Modern-day philosophic ramblings better suit their self-centered lifestyle.
3. Wealth and status erase feelings of 'need' for God or the hope of glory. Their focus is entirely on the world and the pleasures of this life.
4. Pride prevents them from having any godly sorrow over sin. They refuse to allow their hearts to be broken and come to the foot of the cross.
5. They love sin and deny that there are eternal consequences for it. Repentance requires change and that in itself is not acceptable.
6. The idea that a 'so-called' loving God would crucify His own Son to appease His wrath is offensive to a reprobate mind bent on disproving God's very existence.
In the same way that the blind cannot judge color, or the deaf cannot judge sound; a man who refuses to be touched by the Spirit of God cannot judge the Truth of God ...
The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
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