The Cross of Christ.

"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect" (1 Corinthians 1:17 KJV). It is a matter of life and death. Jesus Christ has showed us the way by His example of living and also dying. I'm not speaking of a physical death, but a spiritual one. The apostle Paul got a word from Christ to preach the gospel and not to baptize, because the preaching of the gospel brings truth and it demonstrates power. This is for those who are sick and tired of the sin nature ruling in their mortal bodies. Many people today serve Christ with all they have. They pray and have communion with Him daily, yet they struggle with the things of the flesh, the sin nature. Jesus gives us the victory when we exclusively put our faith in Christ and the cross. Unfortunately, throughout time man has created doctrines of other ways to have victory, through his own wisdom, only to bring failure as a result. Many have a greater faith and trust in religious things to bring the victory. For example, many have great faith in things such as the Lord's supper and water baptism. All of these things are ordinances directly from God, but they do not bring victory over sin to one's life. No one can have true victory except with faith in Christ and the cross, and Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. "I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope" (Psalms 130:5 KJV). Real life in Jesus Christ begins when one understands the cross of Christ, where many of us were baptized unto His death. Real life in Jesus Christ begins with faith in all that He has done and continually does for us. God bless you. Amen