For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
Division, that is what I see in this picture of our church. The division between the light and the dark. The church is cast into the darkness, with only the cross being surrounded in light. We as a church have fallen into the darkness of the world, what Paul calls foolishness. Our siblings in Christ that were a part of the church in Corinth were divided. Squabbling about to whom they belonged, and who were better than the other. All while forgetting about the good news of Christ and his crucifixion on the cross.
Let us take a look at the passage from Isaiah, chapter 29, that Paul is referring to in this part of his letter:
13 The Lord says:
Since these people turn toward me with their mouths,
and honor me with lip service
while their heart is distant from me,
and their fear of me is just a human command that has been memorized,
14 I will go on doing amazing things to these people,
shocking and startling things.
The wisdom of their wise will perish,
and the discernment of their discerning will be hidden.
Have you forgotten about the message of the cross? Are you living in foolishness and perishing in the darkness of the world? Are you honoring God with lip service? Is your heart distant from the Lord? Do you think you are better than others? Is your opinion, always right? Is your comfort more important than preaching the good news to the vulnerable trapped in darkness?
I have forgotten, I am foolish, I talk a big game, my heart is guarded, I think I am superior, I am comfortable. The season of Lent is a time of turning, changing our hearts and lives and living into the Kingdom of God. Lord give me the strength and perseverance to bring the light in the darkness.
Bryce Miller