Paul's subject then was Christ Crucified! Paul CHOSE this subject—and he had good reasons for doing so!
First, it is a most comprehensive subject,
for it is the center where time and eternity,
God and man,
sin and holiness,
life and death—meet!
It is the theater where God displays His perfections,
unfolds His purposes,
maintains His rights,
confounds His foes, and
secures His glory! It is the instrument by which
death is destroyed,
sin is conquered,
rebels are reconciled,
saints are sanctified, and
heaven is opened!
It is an object which confounds reason,
astonishes angels,
attracts sinners,
imparts holiness, and
furnishes matter for endless praise!
Second, it is the most honored subject.
It tunes the harps of heaven.
It fills the sweetest songs on earth.
It is that by which the Holy Spirit works in the conversion of sinners,
in the consolation of saints,
in the sanctification of believers, and
in the establishment of the church of God.
By the preaching of Christ crucified the oracles of the heathen were silenced,
the altars of the heathen were cast down, and
the temples of the heathen were transformed into houses of prayer.
By the preaching of the cross society is elevated,
nations are honored, and
millions are snatched from Hell!
Third, it is a subject that is intensely hated!
Devils hate it, and try to prevent its publication.
Erroneous men hate it, and try to substitute something of their own for it.
And just in proportion as men are influenced by the prince of darkness, or yield to the pride of their own fallen nature will they hate the doctrine of the cross!
But all Christians love it,
all the ministers of Christ glory in it,
all poor perishing sinners need it!
The more we know of God's nature and government, the more we see of man's natural state and condition.
And the more we feel of our own weakness and depravity, the more shall we prize and value the doctrine of the cross!
Christ, and Him crucified shall be the subject of my ministry,
the theme of my songs,
the joy of my heart, and
the foundation of my everlasting hope!
[James Smith]
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1 Corinthians 1:22-24 ... For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Galatians 6:14 ... But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
1 Corinthians 2:2 ... For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. ❤
