1 Corinthians 1:22-24 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:… Evil exists, is the result of sin, which is a want of affection for God, and its cure is by Christ crucified. God is limited in His mode of cure by the capacities and endowments of human nature. I. THE GOSPEL CANNOT BE A SYSTEM OF FORCE. It must be one of motive. II. LOVE CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED AT WILL FROM ONE OBJECT TO ANOTHER. God must become man to secure man's affection. III. HATE IN THE HUMAN HEART CAN ONLY BE CONQUERED AND OVERCOME BY MANIFESTED SELF-DENYING LOVE. God's first work is to teach men their sinfulness and need of salvation. Without faith it is impossible to please God. There is no other avenue to the human heart than that which God has tried. IV. THE DUTIES AND PROHIBITIONS OF THE GOSPEL ARE DEMANDED BY OUR NATURES. Social scientists admit this. Prayer, praise, worship, are as necessary to soul-growth as food, exercise, and rest for bodily powers. V. THE REWARDS AND PENALTIES OF THE GOSPEL ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH NATURE, with reason, with those principles upon which we act in daily life. This wisdom of God is perfectly adapted to man's wants, and meets man's necessities. (Bp. Fellowes.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: |
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