The Cross Still Offends

1 Corinthians 1:18
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

The cross has never fit comfortably into human pride. Paul does not attempt to soften that reality. He acknowledges it plainly: to those who are perishing, the message of the cross sounds foolish. It confronts self-sufficiency, exposes guilt, and demands surrender. Revival does not remove this offense—it restores our willingness to bear it.

The offense of the cross lies in what it declares. It says we are not basically good, merely misguided, or capable of saving ourselves. It says sin is serious enough to require death, and love is costly enough to provide it. The cross strips away every illusion of moral autonomy.

Yet to those who are being saved, the cross is not foolishness—it is power. Not symbolic power. Not emotional power. The power of God. Revival restores confidence in this truth. The cross does not need to be updated to remain effective. It has never depended on cultural approval.

When the church tries to remove the offense of the cross, it removes its power. A cross without blood, judgment, or substitution becomes a decoration—not a declaration. Revival returns us to the old message, preached with humility and conviction.

The offense of the cross also clarifies our calling. We are not sent to impress, but to proclaim. Not to smooth every edge, but to speak truth with love. Revival produces faithfulness, not popularity.

Ask yourself today: have you been tempted to soften the cross to make it more acceptable? Revival restores courage to preach Christ crucified—even when it costs us approval.

The cross still offends—but it still saves. And it remains the power of God unto salvation.