1 Corinthians 1:18—“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

The Apostle with these words draws a sharp line through the world: there are those who are perishing, and there are those who are being saved. And the dividing point is not education, morality, or religious tradition; it is the cross of Jesus Christ. Paul declares, “The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness”. The natural man looks at Calvary and sees weakness: a crucified Messiah, blood, shame, suffering, and death. To proud hearts, it seems unreasonable that God would save through what appears to be defeat.

Yet Paul immediately adds, “but unto us which are saved it is the power of God”. The cross is not merely a message about love; it is the mighty act of God. There, sin was judged, justice was satisfied, and the wrath of God was turned away by a perfect Substitute. What the world calls foolish, heaven calls wisdom. What men despise, God has chosen to display His glory.

Mark this well: Paul is not defining the gospel for strangers, but for “us”, the redeemed, the church. The gospel is not only something we believe once; it is the power by which we live daily. When guilt accuses, we return to the cross. When temptation presses, we return to the cross. When suffering humbles, we cling to the cross. When death draws near, we look again to the cross.

The cross humbles the sinner, silences boasting, and exalts Christ alone. It tells us that we are more sinful than we feared, yet more loved than we imagined. Therefore, the Christian does not move beyond the cross. We live under its shadow, rejoice in its triumph, and proclaim it as the very power of God unto salvation.