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

Correctly understanding this simple statement holds the keys to the most amazing life. Simply put, it changes everything for the believer. It moves us from the kingdom of self to the kingdom of God. This is the message of the New Testament. More specifically, the cross gives us more than just initial salvation. Indeed, it holds the power to save us from ourselves every moment of every day.

Conversely, those who do not correctly understand the cross are still in the darkness. They cannot please God regardless of the efforts they put into their Christian lives. Thus, they will continue to live a Christian life of futility. Wrongly we believe obedience to God is accomplished by merely doing Christian works and behaviors.

On the other hand, those that are abiding in Him are constantly placing their hope in what He has done. Therefore, they are “holding fast” to this “confession” that Christ’s death is alone sufficient for (daily) salvation. (1 Tim. 6:12-14; Heb. 10:22-23)

Further, obedience is a constant returning to Christ crucified as my only confidence in anything and all things. The result of believing in this manner is profound beyond our comprehension. It is the key that unlocks the door for us to transcend our human limitations. It liberates us as nothing else can. It liberates even at the level of our motivations; that is to say, from the very core of our being.

Foolishly, we attempt to complicate the New Testament message. By believing in other sources of our “salvation,” we only diminish the awesome power of the cross in our lives. We compromise its perfect capacity to save to the uttermost.

Ah, but of such nature, we humans are. This is why the message keeps getting lost. We begin to return to hoping in ourselves or others as the world also does.

Yet His grace is greater, a perfect remedy without deficiency. We all need Him to speak that word to us daily. In it is the power of death unto life.

“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” (Jn. 6:27-29)

Dear friends, if you hold fast to the confession of Christ crucified, you are in obedience. There is no other source of obedience but the obedience of faith.

The simplicity in Jesus’ answer baffles our minds. We walk right past the profound nature of this statement. Our active believing in what He has done for us is obedience and carries with it the complete favor and blessings of God.

That faith is a received thing. It is receiving the word of Christ, the word of grace, the word of the cross. Indeed, it is receiving Christ Himself. Jesus’ body and blood are our perfect and sufficient food. Thus, His life becomes manifest in us. Let us compromise His word in nothing so that we might inherit the fullness of Christ.

I declare to you, dear ones – live by this rule, and your life will never be the same again.