The Reformed Life

Introduction

In 1 Corinthians 1:18, the apostle Paul declares, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” These words confront us with a sobering reality: the gospel—the very message that brings life and salvation—is deemed foolish by a world entrenched in pride, self-sufficiency, and human wisdom. Yet as Christians, we are called to proclaim this “folly” without fear, even when rejection seems inevitable.

But what happens when fear of rejection silences us? When we shrink back, are we subtly agreeing with the world’s assessment of the gospel as folly? Our unwillingness to share the good news may reflect an inner struggle—a desire for acceptance, a fear of being labeled foolish, or even a failure to trust in the power of God to save.

In this post, we’ll explore why the cross is seen as foolishness to those who are perishing and challenge ourselves to embrace and proclaim its “folly” with boldness.

1. The Cross Offends Human Pride

The gospel strikes at the heart of human pride. It declares that we are not good enough, strong enough, or wise enough to save ourselves. This offends a culture that celebrates self-reliance and personal achievement.

John Calvin wrote, “Man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” The cross dismantles our idols of self and exposes our utter dependence on God for salvation.

Application: When we withhold the gospel out of fear, are we feeding our own pride by avoiding the humiliation of being rejected?

2. The Cross Defies Worldly Wisdom

To the unbelieving world, the idea of salvation through a crucified Savior is absurd. The world exalts power, prestige, and success, yet the cross represents humility, suffering, and what appears to be defeat.

Martin Luther emphasized, “The cross alone is our theology.” This upside-down message reveals God’s wisdom, which confounds human understanding.

Application: Do we tailor the gospel to make it more palatable, subtly denying its countercultural power?

3. The Cross Contradicts Worldly Expectations

For Jews, the Messiah was expected to bring political triumph, not to die a shameful death. For Gentiles, the idea of a god suffering was nonsensical. The cross stands as a direct challenge to human expectations.

As R.C. Sproul noted, “The gospel is only good news when we understand the bad news.” The cross confronts and subverts all human hopes that are not rooted in Christ.

Application: Are we more concerned with meeting cultural expectations than proclaiming the true gospel?

4. The Cross Calls for Total Surrender

Believing in the gospel requires us to renounce self-worship and submit entirely to God’s plan of salvation. This call to surrender grates against the human desire for autonomy and control.

J.I. Packer observed, “The gospel does bring us solutions to our problems, but it does so by first confronting us with our rebellion.”

Application: When we avoid sharing the gospel, are we protecting others from the offense of surrender, or are we protecting ourselves from their rejection?

5. The Cross Requires Faith, Not Human Effort

The gospel declares that salvation is a gift of grace, not a reward for works. This is an affront to those who believe they can earn their way to heaven through morality or religious rituals.

Charles Spurgeon proclaimed, “You stand before God as if you were Christ, because Christ stood before God as if He were you.” The cross demolishes all human boasting.

Application: Does our hesitation to share the gospel reveal a lack of faith in its sufficiency?

6. The Cross Reveals the Reality of Judgment

The cross forces us to confront the reality of sin and God’s righteous judgment. This truth is uncomfortable and often rejected by those who suppress their guilt and need for a Savior.

John MacArthur wrote, “Sin is man’s biggest problem, and the cross is the only solution.” To proclaim the cross is to expose the truth about sin and the only hope for forgiveness.

Application: Do we remain silent because we fear being labeled as judgmental, forgetting that the cross is the ultimate message of grace?

What This Means for the Preacher

For the preacher and pastor, this reality brings both challenge and encouragement. The cross’s inherent offense means there is no neutrality with God. Every person responds in one of two ways: rejection (because the message seems foolish) or surrender (belief, because God has regenerated their heart). Knowing this frees us from the burden of trying to persuade through human effort alone.

When we preach the cross faithfully, we align ourselves with God’s power rather than the world’s approval. As Charles Spurgeon said, “If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay.” Our task is not to ensure acceptance but to proclaim the truth and trust God with the results.

Encouragements for the Preacher:

1. Faithfulness Over Results: Remember that success in ministry is measured by obedience to the gospel, not by worldly standards of effectiveness. God works through His Word, even when it’s rejected.
2. Boldness in the Face of Rejection: Expect rejection, but don’t fear it. The same gospel that offends also saves, and it is God’s power that changes hearts.
3. Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Rest in the fact that regeneration is God’s work, not yours. Preach the Word, and let the Holy Spirit do the heart-transforming work.
4. Joy in the Gospel’s Power: Every time you proclaim the cross, you testify to its power—power that has saved you and continues to save others.

Conclusion

The cross will always seem foolish to those who are perishing. But this “folly” is the very power of God for salvation. When we withhold the gospel for fear of rejection, we risk aligning with the world’s perspective rather than God’s truth. As Paul reminds us in Romans 1:16, we must not be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

Let us boldly proclaim the message of the cross, trusting that God will use what seems foolish to transform hearts and lives. After all, as Spurgeon so powerfully stated, “The power that is in the gospel does not lie in the eloquence of the preacher, but in the gospel itself.” Or, as George Whitefield once said, “Other men may preach the gospel better than I, but no man can preach a better gospel.”

Preach it faithfully, and let God work through His “foolish” message to save the lost.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Josh Chambers

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