“Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become…A stone that CAUSES PEOPLE TO STUMBLE and a rock that MAKES THEM FALL.” (1 Peter 2:7-8) The gospel will be a stumbling block to some AMY, we cannot present the true gospel in a manner without bringing offence to someone! If no one is ever offended by what we preach we better make sure we are preaching the full gospel!!! The full gospel will produce godly sorrow, “…even if I made you sorry with my letter…I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a GODLY MANNER, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For GODLY SORROW PRODUCES REPENTANCE LEADING TO SALVATION…but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Corin. 7:8-10)
Not only does the gospel produce “sorrow” AMY but it is also foolish to the unbeliever! “…the message of the cross IS FOOLISHNESS to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… but we preach Christ crucified: A STUMBLING BLOCK to Jews and FOOLISHNESS to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD IS WISER than human wisdom, and THE WEAKNESS OF GOD IS STRONGER than human strength.” (1 Corin. 1:18, 23-25) Jesus said He came to CALL SINNERS to repentance.
A wonderful result of our conversion is this, “…you are a CHOSEN PEOPLE, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a HOLY NATION, GOD’S SPECIAL POSSESSION, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into HIS WONDERFUL LIGHT.” (1 Peter 2:9)
-Bill Stockham