How Can The Cross Lose It's Power?

Dec. 13

Read: 1 Cor. 1:17-2:5, Gal. 2:20

How Can The Cross Lose Its Power?

“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (v.1:17)

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (v.1:18 )

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal.2:20)

What exactly is “the word of the cross”? (v.1:18) The terms “word, cross, and power” are repeated twice -  back to back - in this short section. I think that we have a rather one-dimensional way of thinking about the cross. I believe for the most part we are taught primarily (sometimes exclusively) about the  way that the cross represents the payment or atonement for our sins; but is that all it is? When we read the scriptures and the words of Paul here, this definition becomes a little odd. Think about it: Take for instance “…lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (v.1:17) How can the payment of a debt be emptied of it’s power? Is the sin-payment able to be revoked… is it not “accepted” as a payment? Does it lose its ability to satisfy the debt? When we think of the cross ONLY as the message of our sins being atoned for - it becomes odd to think that it could lose its “power”. When it comes to payments / debts, it is not necessarily a matter of “power” … although we do have phrases such as “buying power”. Take another verse for example: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1:18) The removing of a debt is not in and of itself a “power”. The thing that satisfies the debt has power, but the balance being brought back to zero - “owing nothing” does not really constitute much “power”. If you don’t believe me, try being “debt free” but with not a single dollar left to your name… or more starkly - you could be debt free but dead… lacking “power” and life! Being debt free is not so amazing if you don’t also have the life and power to enjoy it. So - in verse 18 again - are we supposed to see the message that our sin-bills have been paid as the power of God being given to us?

What if there is more to the cross than we realize? Here is the truth:

THE CROSS IS MUCH MORE THAN SIMPLY SIN-MANAGEMENT, IT IS ALSO OUR VERY UNION WITH CHRIST.

The message of the cross is not simply our “sins have been paid for” it is actually that WE HAVE BEEN UNITED WITH CHRIST … joined with God himself. We have become “partakers of his divine nature” (2 Peter 1:3,4) We have been made a “new creation” with our life “hidden in Christ”. (2 Cor. 5:17, Col 3:3) The cross is the point where our old-self dies and we become joined with Jesus. (Gal. 2:20). It is at Jesus’ death that we join with him… are united with him… and we are “raised to a newness of life” (Rom. 6:4, Col. 2:12-15) This is why our baptism is aligned with this “joining with Christ” at the cross. You see - I think the message of “the cross” being spoken of here in 1 Corinthians is actually this message - union with Christ. I think it is the message that we have bee radically transformed and made new… and that we are now joined with Jesus and empowered by the Spirit of God! You have to remember - the people around Paul here did not even think that sin was their primary problem! They were not walking around worried about sin - Jews and Gentiles alike. The question for ancients was a question of POWER and AUTHORITY. Paul’s message was that Jesus is God incarnate - God Most High in the flesh - creator of all things and ruler over evil, death, and the Devil. Now when we go back and read this passage - it begins to make more sense.

You have been joined with Jesus! You have been made a partaker of his “divine nature”. You are being made into his image and likeness. The Spirit of God dwells within you. This is not only the power to forgive and “pay off debts” - it is actually the power to transform you… change you… conquer evil… defend against the Devil… and walk out of the grave someday! It was not crazy for people to be told in the days of Paul that there was a way to pay debts and appease gods… But what WAS “foolishness” or “folly” was the idea that God would welcome in or share with humans unity with him in a way that transformed their actual nature and welcomed them into being participants with HIM. That was “foolishness” to those who had not experienced it… but to those who had been changed by God through Jesus and His Spirit… it was the very POWER of God.

It is in UNION with CHRIST that power is found. This is the POWER of the cross = UNION WITH CHRIST. Jesus is the POWER. The cross is where we are joined to him. Verse 1:24 tells us as much “…Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” Jesus is who we look to… and the cross is where we are joined to him! The good news is not simply “sin-debt management” but ALSO transformation and union with God himself. That is where there is POWER… the power of Christ in and through us. Does that sound crazy to you? Is it hard to believe that your old nature has been changed in Jesus? Does it seem foolish to think that Jesus would share his righteousness, character, and nature with you to transform you? Are you trapped under the message that you will never be transformed? Rejoice brothers and sisters! Boldly take hold of what the scriptures teach us: You have been forgiven by God, and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life - and he has transformed you and given you real POWER for the life of godliness in HIM. Be joined with Jesus! (cf. Gal. 2:20, Romans 6:4, Col 2:12-15) Love you guys. - JDP