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1 Corinthians 1:17-18
Here, Paul explains that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who do not believe; but to the believer the cross is the power of God. The power of God will draw others to the believer.
Foolish means lack of good sense or consciousness. Paul is saying, when I preach the cross to unbelievers, they will say “that doesn’t make sense”. Is this is true, it has to be God’s power working in and through the believer that will draw the unbeliever.
Having said that there are three ways in which the believer must relate to the cross in order for the power of God to freely function: the vertical, horizontal, and the invisible.
Vertical – our relationship with God – consists of our prayer, reading God’s word, spending time in worship, doing what it takes to draw near (and stay near) to our Father in heaven.
Horizontal – The horizontal relationship with the cross will not be correct unless your vertical is correct. It is the vertical drives you to make sure your horizontals are correct. Horizontal is your relationship with your brothers, sisters, neighbors, classmates, co-workers and others. When you have your vertical in place it will drive you to reach out and connect with your brothers and sisters in the way that pleases the Father.
The invisible – The Holy Spirit at work in you is God’s power helping you build and fortify the other two dimensions: both the horizontal and the vertical.
Unforgiveness blocks the horizontal, and likewise will block the vertical. In the scripture Jesus tells us that when we come to the father we must first FORGIVE. Jesus himself endured the cross so we, people who did not initiate forgiveness, could be free. Shouldn’t we as believers endure for the sake of forgiveness as well?
Unforgivness keeps you held captive to your emotions and if not corrected will cause end in a state of torment. Matt 18:21-35 (see verse 34) tells us about the man who refuse to offer the same forgiveness that the king gave him to the man who owed him money. The king, having heard of the man’s outrageous actions, turned the man over to the tormentors.
Jesus said FORGIVE as many times as it takes. God forgives us over and over and over. We, as believers must show that same power of forgiveness to all who are in our horizontal relationships. The invisible dimension of the cross – the Holy Spirit – is able to talk you through releasing yourself from the bondage of unforgiveness, and free you to experience the all theĀ benefits afforded to us because of the cross.
It’s not common to hear people preach or teach about the cross anymore; but how better off would we be if they did?
– Pastor Alonzo Wade
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- Are you burdened with the weight of unforgiveness? (prhayz.com)