You just know that the situation in the church at Corinth was complex. It was complex because of the pagan culture and norms they had grown up with prior to being “called into fellowship with His Son.” Complex because they were “not lacking in any gift” and yet, weren’t sure how to steward the abundant grace that God had poured out on them. Complex because of different allegiances to different preachers and teachers that allowed schisms to simmer in their midst. Complex because of a lack of maturity in how to apply the grace found in the new life to the problem of sin still evident in the old man. The list goes on and on. These people had issues! So where does Paul begin as he seeks to address the many issues in the church of Corinth? He begins with the power of God.

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. 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. . . . we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(1Corinthians 1:17-18, 23-24 ESV)

Paul begins with the folly of the cross . . . the power of God for those who are “being saved.” Their issues were complex . . . but the key to unraveling them and working through them was to begin with the cross . . . and Christ crucified . . . the power of God.

How often we see the cross only as something associated with our past . . the means by which we WERE SAVED. When, as Paul reminds these issue ridden believers, we need to return to the cross, again and again, believing it is also the power of God as we are BEING SAVED.

We can get caught up in our spiritual disciplines . . . can surround ourselves with our favorite internet preachers . . . consume ourselves with making use of our spiritual gifts . . . but if we lose sight of the power of God for salvation, we run the risk, just as the church of Corinth did, of having all the right stuff but going in the wrong direction.

There’s something humbling about the cross. A reminder that, apart from God’s loving determination to redeem us, we would have been helpless to rescue ourselves. That, apart from God’s grace, our sin was more than great enough to eternally bar us from knowing His presence. That, apart from the spotless Lamb of God giving His life for us and imparting His righteous nature to us, we would be powerless to walk in the way of the kingdom we’ve been called into. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1:31).

The good news of the cross. It’s not about eloquent words or even things that make sense to a lost world. But, for those to whom God has given ears to hear, it is the power of God for salvation . . . the power to enter into new life . . . the power to navigate new life.

We’ve all got issues. So where do we start? O’, may God continually draw us to the cross . . . and it’s finished work. May He lift our heads to the risen Christ . . . and His glorious person.

For His glory . . .