For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭17

The more I grow in Christ, the more I am aware and amazed at the dichotomy of the human mind versus the ‘mind of Christ.’ Biblical scholars of the past and present remind us that we can not be friends (followers) of the worldly (human) mindset and true disciples of Jesus.

Jesus tells us that and his brother James (among others) does as well.

“You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” James‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬

In his first letter to the church in Corinth Paul points out the futility of following after people rather than keeping our focus on the cross. It’s vital in the Christian walk to remember the centrality and power of the cross. It’s also important to remember that while the cross is a symbol of victory for the believer today, it was a symbol of humiliation, defeat and evil in Jesus’ day. That is dichotomy #1 by the way.

Paul reminds the Corinthian believers, and us, that at there is power in the cross, not weakness.

Here are some points to ponder about the power and dichotomy of the cross.

Human thought sees power in status; Jesus sees power in humility.

Human thought sees power in strength, Jesus sees power in weakness.

Human thought sees power in revenge, Jesus sees power in forgiveness.

Human thought sees power in experience , Jesus sees power in faith.

Human thought sees power in self reliance, Jesus sees power in trust.

The cross is weakness to the world, for us it is ultimate power. Don’t settle for the power of human thought. Live powerfully because of the cross of Jesus.