The Foolishness of the Cross

 

Good Friday is the day when we remember the crucifixion of Christ Jesus. It is important that we take time to ponder how Jesus, in obedience to the Father, laid down his life to be the sacrifice of sin.

One of my concerns, especially for us who have been around church for most of our lives, is that we lose the foolishness of the cross. The cross, an instrument of execution, as a means to victory makes no sense.

It is foolishness to believe that life can emerge from death, or that winning can come from losing. The apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 highlight this reality:

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent.

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.(CSB)

Notice that Paul never said the cross is anything but folly or foolishness. We find power and transformation through the death and resurrection of Jesus, but we will not fully understand its significance.

The cross is a crucial part of God's plan to rescue creation from sin, decay, and death which means the crucifixion of Jesus is a product of God’s wisdom. Since God’s ways are far above our ways means that we will never be able to fully understand all that happened because of the cross. Systematic theologies have explained the cross in doctrines like justification, atonement, and sanctification, but we miss something vital if we do not find the cross a little bit odd.

While we may never grasp the full wisdom of God displayed in the cross, we can still find healing in its purpose. We may wonder how the death of one man saves all those who believe in him, but we can still put our faith in Jesus.

We do not need to understand the crucifixion in all of its complexities in order to take advantage of the gift of life, forgiveness, and mercy that is found in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Our salvation is not based on our understanding, but on our faith in the Jesus.

The power of the cross does not lie in our understanding but in God's love and grace. We may not understand the purpose of the cross, but we can trust the One who worked through. The point of Good Friday is not that we understand God's ways, but that we trust God's love.

The ME Centered Life

 

American society seems to prioritize the individual over the community. I think this reality is reflected in our rampant consumerism. Consumerism is the constant acquisition of goods and services in the pursuit of happiness. This means we prioritize our own desires over the well-being of others and the environment. For example, we are willing to discard last year's model for the smallest improvement on this year's model.

This one of the reasons why I think the fundamental issue with consumerism narcissism. We tend to prioritize our own wants and desires, without considering the consequences of our actions. We often seek pleasure and immediate gratification, without thinking about the long-term effects on ourselves or others.

This narcissistic mentality is pervasive in the world. We can see it in a cheating spouse to a teenager seeking a quick high. Our world teaches us to chase the momentary pleasure without considering the long-term consequences of our actions. When we have this mind set what matters more than anything else is getting what we want.

However, a life centered solely around ourselves will eventually catch up with us, and the pain and misery of the consequences always outweigh the short-term pleasure we sought.

In his book Uprising, Erwin McManus wrote:

In the midst of our growing fragmentation, we have never been more focused on the individual than we are today. This focus plays itself out in unbridled consumerism. While materialism is certainly an outgrowth of consumerism, it isn’t its primary focus. Consumerism’s primary product in our culture is narcissism. Remember, narcissism is a life in which everything is about us.

While pursuing a life centered on ourselves may bring temporary pleasure, it inevitably leads to negative consequences that outweigh any enjoyment we may have experienced. Unfortunately, the world's solution to avoiding these consequences is to pursue an even more self-centered lifestyle.

However, the key to a fulfilling life is found in focusing on relationships with others, rather than on ourselves.

In contrast, the New Testament emphasizes the importance of community and loving one another. Our best experiences in life come from investing time and love in other people. If relationships are the most important thing to us, then we will prioritize loving others rather than gratifying our desires.

As the Apostle Paul wrote,

Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Ultimately, the life of a Christian is not about putting ourselves first but rather focusing on loving God and loving our neighbors. We are not the most important thing in the universe, and living our lives as if we were will lead to a dissatisfying existence. By prioritizing relationships and serving others, we can discover the fulfilling life that Jesus promised us.

The pursuit of a self-centered life may bring temporary pleasure, but it ultimately leads to negative consequences. The key to a fulfilling life is found in prioritizing relationships and focusing on others, rather than solely on ourselves.

Study the Bible and Know God’s Will

As believers, we should have a desire to know God's will, not only for our lives, but for the world. This is why we pray, “Your kingdom come and Your will be done.” It is why seek guidance from older wiser Christians who have faithfully followed Jesus. It is why we study the Bible, God’s word to His people.

The Bible is God's inspired word, which means it is the ultimate guide for our lives. Through the Scriptures God reveals His character, His plan for humanity, and His will for our lives. Therefore, if we want to know God's will, we need to become students of Scripture.

How do we become students of the Bible?

Here are three things you can do to become a student of God’s word.

Personal Reading and Study

Personal Bible study is a crucial discipline for every Christian. It is through reading and meditating on the Word of God that we come to know Him intimately. Reading and studying the Scriptures allows us to discover the character of God, His love for us, and His plan for our lives. It is also through personal Bible study that we develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationship with God.

To get the most out of our personal reading and studying we need a plan. Earlier this year I wrote about what I do to study the Bible (Take Time to Study). When it comes to reading find a plan that works for you and don’t get discouraged if you are inconsistent with it at first. The goal is to read, even it is just a chapter a day. When it comes to studying, I would suggest choosing a book of the Bible and reading through it a good study Bible and taking notes. Olive Tree Bible Software is good way to go to help in this process.

Study with Qualified Teachers

In addition to personal study, it is essential to sit under the instruction of qualified teachers. Pastors, Bible study leaders, and other Christian leaders who are well-versed in the Scriptures can help us understand and apply the Word of God to our lives.

However, we must be discerning in our choice of teachers. We need to seek out those who are faithful to the Scriptures and are committed to teaching the whole counsel of God. In other words we want to find teachers and preachers who use the Bible as the foundation of their teaching. One of the ways I do this is to study and teach the Bible through some of the themes that run through Scripture. The two big themes that have influenced my teaching recently are the themes of covenant and Kingdom of God.

Diligence and Intentionality

Finally, we need to be diligent and intentional in our study of Scripture. This requires that we carve out time for it on a regular basis. We need to be reading the Bible everyday as it gives us truth to meditate on and to guide our prayers. Our personal study of Scripture can also be daily as we do our own study with commentaries and study Bibles on one day, studying with a group on another day, and listening to sermons and podcasts on another day. The goal isn’t about learning on the information that we can, but to gain wisdom. Biblical wisdom is the knowledge for living well in God’s world.

The intentionality of studying and reading is crucial. Find a rhythm of reading, meditating, and study that works for you. We need to set aside distractions and other priorities that can hinder our ability to focus on studying God's Word.


If we want to know God's will we must become students of Scripture. Personal study and sitting under qualified teachers are essential parts of this process. We must also be diligent and intentional in our study of God's Word, making it a priority in our daily lives.

As we seek to know God through His Word, we will discover His will, not only for our lives, but for the world. This will influence the way we live as we follow Jesus.

EDC Wednesday: Carry a Knife

 

Human beings have been carrying knives for centuries, as they are versatile tools that can come in handy in a wide variety of situations.

The first knives were sharpened rocks, bones, or metals that had some sort of handle for a person to hold. These knives were used for cutting and scraping tasks, and because of their usefulness, people began carrying knives with them all the time.

The exact origin of folding knives is unknown, as they have been used for centuries and have evolved over time. However, evidence shows that folding knives were used in ancient Rome, Greece, and even in the Bronze Age. These early folding knives were made from bronze, iron, and eventually steel. 

During the Middle Ages, folding knives became popular among nobility as a symbol of status and wealth. Folding knives became popular in the American colonies in the 1600s as an essential part of daily life for farmers and other people who made their living with their hands.

Although our technology has made the daily need for a good cutting tool almost obsolete, a good folding knife is still an essential part of a good EDC. Whether you're working in the yard, doing a DIY project, cooking supper, camping, hiking, or just running errands around town, having a folding knife in your pocket can ensure that you are prepared for any cutting tasks that may come your way.

A few of the knives in my collection.

Here are some reasons why carrying a folding knife is a good idea:

Everyday tasks

From opening packages to cutting rope, there are countless everyday tasks that can be made easier with a folding knife. Instead of struggling to open a package with your bare hands, you can simply use your knife to slice through the tape. Instead of trying to break that dangling thread on your shirt, you can simply cut it off. Instead of tearing open that birthday card from your mom, you can make a nice clean cut with your knife instead. Instead of searching around for a clean knife in the kitchen, slice those veggies up with the slicer in your pocket.

Emergency situations

In an emergency situation, a folding knife can be a lifesaver. Although a knife with a blade less than 3 inches long is perfectly capable of handling 98% of the cutting tasks that will pop up in our daily lives, in many emergency situations that might arise, such as cutting a seatbelt in a car accident or creating a makeshift shelter in the wilderness, a larger knife provides you with the tool you need to get the job done. It's always better to be prepared for the unexpected, and a good medium to large folding knife can help you be prepared.

Utility tool

A folding knife is also a valuable utility tool when the right tool isn't within reach. It is important to remember that while we have all used a knife for something other than cutting, these are not approved uses for a knife. You can use a knife to tighten screws, strip wires, or even to remove a splinter. With a little creativity, you can use a folding knife to tackle all sorts of tasks.

Self-defense

While we hope to never find ourselves in a situation where we need to defend ourselves, it's always better to be prepared. The reality is that unless you are trained to use a knife for self-defense, you are just as likely to hurt yourself as you are your attacker. But, in a life or death situation, using a knife might help you ward off an attacker or create an escape route. Of course, it's important to remember that using a knife in self-defense should always be a last resort, and only used when absolutely necessary.

Personal Expression

For many people, carrying a folding knife is a way to express their personal style. This is particularly true among the EDC community, where there is a wide variety of knives available in different colors, materials, and designs. Personally, I still want a brass handle knife because I think it looks cool when paired with leather.

However, it's important to remember that carrying a knife also comes with responsibilities. You must be aware of local laws and regulations governing knife ownership and use.

Some states and many cities have ordinances that limit the blade length on folding knives to less than 3 inches. To comply with local laws, I bought a Kizer Dukes with a 3-inch blade to carry when traveling.

Since knives are tools and not toys (although the fidget factor on many folding knives is pretty high), we should treat them as such. It's important to handle your knife with care and never use it in a way that could harm yourself or others.

Carrying a folding knife can be a valuable tool for a variety of situations, whether you're out camping, running errands, or going about your daily life. By keeping a knife in your pocket, you can be prepared for whatever comes your way.