The Cross Unleashes The Power Of God

The Cross Unleashes The Power Of God

I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. –1 Corinthians 1:18

You might as well know: I love to watch the Dr. Phil Show, sitting in on his counseling sessions via the magic of television. I love it when he gives a sly smile to someone who is justifying a particular attitude or action and says, “How’s that workin’ for ya?” It often comes down to people realizing they need to change, but they feel powerless to change. And we know what they feel like, don’t we? The power to change is what we want, isn’t it? We don’t want to be stuck living the same way, haunted by the same insecurities and guilt, enslaved by the same appetites and patterns the rest of our lives. Yet we think, That is the way I am; I can never change.

The message of the Cross is good news for people who don’t want to keep living the same way they’ve been living. And bold, expectant faith is the channel through which God pours his supportive power—sin-conquering, life-transforming, courage-generating power. What is the message of the Cross that is the power of God? It is power to change.

The same determination that kept Jesus walking toward the Cross is available to you as you persevere in obedience to God. The same strength that enabled Jesus to withstand ridicule is available to you as you encounter those who belittle your faith. The same ability to forgive that Jesus showed to those who nailed him to the cross is available to you as you seek to forgive those who make your suffering more intense. And the same force that brought Jesus back to life is available to rejuvenate the dead places in your heart where you believe the hurts of life have left you unable to live and love again.

Where do you need the power of the Cross in your life right now? Are you looking for strength to withstand the pull of an addiction, staying power in a marriage, energy to keep putting one foot in front of the other in an unbearable situation? The message of the Cross is the power of God not only for your salvation, but for your transformation.

My Power for change, I am powerless to do what you want me to do and to become who you want me to be. Will you give me your life-transforming, death-conquering power today so I can begin to experience real change?

DIGGING DEEPER