Foolishness, or Power?

     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 1:18NASB

     The world is filled with people seeking to overcome their problems. There are as many self help books, motivational gurus, talk show hosts, counselors, psychologists, pills, and so on, as there are problems to overcome.
     Sadly the world pursues hopeless solutions while scorning the only thing that can deliver them from the real issue of sin.
     The cross of Christ is considered foolishness by the wise of every age. Man has invented gods to worship, and rituals of every sort in an attempt to ease his guilty conscience.
     It has never been a popular thing for the world to view the turmoil in the hearts of men as a sign of their lost condition. It is not popular today to call all the rebellious behavior that runs so rampant, what it really is, sin.
     We have come to a place where what was once viewed as sinful behavior, is now seen as a thing to be tolerated, accepted, and even embraced. Political correctness runs in opposition to good morals.
      The world desperately attempts to break addictions to no avail. We try to medicate, we try therapy, we go to support groups, but sin still rules in the hearts of men.
     Jesus Christ is the only one who can set the prisoners free. He who the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:34-36). The message of the cross is indeed foolishness to the world. Religion is viewed as a crutch for weak minded people. But the cross of Christ is where the victory is found.
     This is where the bondage is broken. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Sin is destroyed in the life of the believer as He identifies himself with Christ, through repentance and faith. (Romans 6:6-7). Our surrender to the Lordship of Christ requires us to live the crucified life, where we have no plans or purposes of our own. Now only Christ lives through us in power (Gal 2:20, 6:14).
     Once again, this appears as foolishness to a self sufficient, wicked world system. Christ crucified, living in me is the answer. You can have victory over the sin in your life. You can be set free from the bondage and addictions that control you. You can be free from the guilt that haunts you. You can be reconciled to God. 
     Come to the cross.