"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." 1 Corinthians 1:18

A wonderful aspect of the Gospel is that the grace of God is available to everyone. The Bible tells us some will accept it, and others will not. While it may be tempting to consider and discuss who will and will not be saved, giving in to such temptation is counter-productive to a successful Christian journey.

Regarding the kingdom of God, His Word tells us that knowing Jesus Christ should be our highest priority, for He alone is our source of spiritual nourishment. In Christ we are capable of a righteous and faithful walk, usually the most effective method for sharing the truth of God's salvation plan for mankind. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

Much the same way as videos or movies offer instruction via the presentation of living examples, such is the walk of the believer. For maximum effect, the "script" of the believer's life will likely include vivid scenes depicting opportunities for faith in, and reliance on God in difficult times. (Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12)

What will be the effect of the message our life relates to the rest of the world today? Like the Director of a major motion picture, God is setting the stage for each of us individually to communicate His message. Will it be the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, or something else we consider more interesting or relevant? (1 Peter 4:11,16)

Onward Christian soldiers!

Bob Benson

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from My Utmost For His Highest. . .

November 26

The Focal Point of Spiritual Power

. . . except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . —Galatians 6:14

If you want to know the power of God (that is, the resurrection life of Jesus) in your human flesh, you must dwell on the tragedy of God. Break away from your personal concern over your own spiritual condition, and with a completely open spirit consider the tragedy of God. Instantly the power of God will be in you. "Look to Me. . ." (Isaiah 45:22). Pay attention to the external Source and the internal power will be there. We lose power because we don’t focus on the right thing. The effect of the Cross is salvation, sanctification, healing, etc., but we are not to preach any of these. We are to preach "Jesus Christ and Him crucified" ( 1 Corinthians 2:2 ). The proclaiming of Jesus will do its own work. Concentrate on God’s focal point in your preaching, and even if your listeners seem to pay it no attention, they will never be the same again. If I share my own words, they are of no more importance than your words are to me. But if we share the truth of God with one another, we will encounter it again and again. We have to focus on the great point of spiritual power— the Cross. If we stay in contact with that center of power, its energy is released in our lives. In holiness movements and spiritual experience meetings, the focus tends to be put not on the Cross of Christ but on the effects of the Cross.

The feebleness of the church is being criticized today, and the criticism is justified. One reason for the feebleness is that there has not been this focus on the true center of spiritual power. We have not dwelt enough on the tragedy of Calvary or on the meaning of redemption.

Amen!

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24