the cross is foolishness. On the other hand, there is a group of in dividuals who are saved, who know Christ as their Savior. The preach ing of the cross to this latter group is a power. Actually, it is the pow er of God. I believe that it is im possible to improve upon the mes sage of salvation to those who are perishing. They are already reject ing the message — there is not a thing that we can do by embellish ing the message that will convince them otherwise. It seems that there are at least two classes of people who are per ishing that are referred to in Scrip ture. One class might be those who are needy, who are open, search ing. Their hearts have been pre pared. They are under conviction. When the message is presented to them, they respond. In another group are individuals who are hard. Their minds are closed. They are content to live life their way. They feel absolutely no need for religion or Christianity or any kind of commitment. The word "perish" used in verse 18 is a very strong word. It means to abolish, kill or destroy. It leaves no question in my mind that Paul is speaking here of those who are convinced in their own mind that they will not accept anything. They would not be receptive to the simple, but effective, message of Christ crucified. The preaching of the message of salvation is foolish ness to them. What about the word translated "foolishness?" Oddly enough, the Greek word translated "foolish ness" here is actually the word that gives us our English equivalent of "moron." You might even say that the preaching of the Gospel is
moronic to an individual who has his heart set on going his own way, not having any consideration for Christ. The Greek word is also sometimes translated "fo lly" or "silly" or "dull." So verse 18 sug gests that you cannot improve upon the message and make it accept able to those who are perishing. They look upon the message as foolishness or moronic, something that is not acceptable. There is the other side of this, too. I do not believe that you can make the message of salvation any stronger for the Christian. It is al ready the power of God! The phrase "power" here in the Greek is dunamis from which we get our word dynamite. It stands in con trast with the Greek word trans lated foolishness. This message may be foolishness to the perishing but it is a dynamic message to those of us who know Christ. You can not improve upon God's power. Notice the power of God in Luke 4:18, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (Christ speaking) be cause he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." Notice again in Romans 1:16, Paul writes, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, unto everyone that believeth, unto the Jew first, and also to the Greek." What is the Gospel here? It is the power of God unto salvation. God has sent His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And if we accept Him as our personal Savior, our lives can be trans formed. Instead of an individual
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