The Offense and Power of the Gospel

Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. “Galatians 5.11

It would be an utter waste of time to try to remove the offense of the cross from gospel preaching.  The message of the cross is offensive to the flesh, so the only way to remove that offense is to remove the cross.  It would be good for all of us to try to remove from ourselves any offense arising from our methods, conduct or personality;  but, if we are to be any glory to Christ or any good whatsoever to those who hear us, we must, with all plainness and diligence, declare the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ in a way that not only does not hide its offence, but actually accents its offense.  Those things about our Lord and His cross which are most offensive to the flesh are the very things most helpful to the sinner:  man's total depravity and inability to do anything pleasing to God; God's sovereign disposition of His grace according to His will in election and predestination; Christ's effective and particular redemption of God's elect, and the Holy Spirit's sovereign, omnipotent call of God's elect, which call never fails.  Yes, we could gain more hearers if we allowed for a little of man's righteousness, will, and works to enter into he scheme of the gospel.  But it would prove our undoing and the destruction of our hearers.  The fact is, the glory and power of the cross lie in its offense.