Word for theday by Christian Education Forum

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Kudosh Etho (Sanctification of Church)
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
 
Elezabeth K V (Sowmini)
MTC, Singapore.
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 cor 1:18).
 
Paul introduces the astonishing power of the cross through this profound passage and it has become the symbol of Christianity today because it exposes the fundamental conflict of life. The cross was particularly needed in Corinth as it is needed in our Churches. Because the word of the cross is cure for all human division. Once we confront the cross and its meaning we find ourself unable to escape that final, basic judgment of life as to whether we are committed to error or committed to the truth.
By the ‘word of the cross’ Paul means the basic announcement of the “Crucifixion of Jesus.” It condemns ‘our’ righteousness, casts all our human efforts, wipes them all out and says they are totally worthless.
It has two reactions:
First, the word of the cross is foolish or nonsense to those who are perishing. If you have ever witnessed somebody who has a sense of sufficiency about himself who feels that he is a self made man you have discovered the foolishness of the cross.
Second, the cross is the power of God to those who are being saved. To us who are being saved, the cross is the key release of all God’s blessings in human life. It is the way to experience the reality of God in the heart, deliverance from reign of sin and entry into wholeness, peace and joy. The cross is an inescapable part of that process.
To prove that this is the case, universally, Paul quotes the words of Isaiah, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart” (Isaiah 29:14). Isaiah chapter 37 explains the incident behind it and we realize the fact that God works for human redemption without any human help.
As we emphasize on ‘sanctification of church’ we should maintain sanctified behavioral pattern by following the word of God and communicating the message of the cross in our individual and collective responsibilities - by reaching out as forgiving and loving as individuals and as community. St Peter reminds us to be “living stones built into spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5) since church is “the body of Christ” (1cor 6:15) and the “temple of God “(1Cor 3:16).

PRAYER

Lord, let this “Kudosh Etho” day be a renewed beginning for all of us as individuals and the church as a whole. Help us to work closely to communicate the message of the cross by putting away all our differences to glorify Your name. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:25)

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