1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

This was true when Paul wrote it, and it’s still true today. I am at times amazed at the vigor and volume with which some people proclaim Christians to be “ignorant” or “unscientific.” As several people have noted, it takes more faith to believe some of their “scientific” theories and declarations than it does to believe the God of the Bible! The message of the cross is foolishness to anyone who wants to cling to their sin, but to anyone who is willing to let go of their sin, it is the best news in the world. The challenge that believers face is to be true to the Gospel and share it with others regardless of how much ridi­cule and pressure might be dumped on them. People don’t like to be told they are in the wrong and headed for destruction, and many of them tend to “shoot the messenger” rather than really consider the message. Jesus warned us that would happen, so we shouldn’t let it deter us. (John 15:20-21) Genuine repentance is never popular outside of a move of God, but it is still the only way to salvation. We need to keep our own repentance up to date, as well as continually give others the opportunity to repent and believe the Gospel as well.

I can never forget that God proved to me that He had baptized me in His Spirit by giving me power and boldness to witness to a total stranger about Christ. I do not consider myself to be gifted as an evangelist, but He has used me to bring quite a few people to salvation. I am grateful that my faith has only gotten firmer over the years. I am to exercise the faith I have and encourage those whose faith is weaker, allowing the Lord to speak His truth through me to counter the lies of the enemy. I am to remember that as a mere human I am powerless, but as a child of God, His power operates through me, and there is no limit to that power.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the multiple opportunities You gave me to encourage and strengthen others yesterday. Help me be an available, open channel of Your grace, love and power at all times so that people may be brought from darkness to light, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!