Yet the gospel is precisely what everyone wants to step around. Paul realistically divides the world of religious questers into two camps. Yet for those whom God has wooed, those who now embrace the One given the world, Jesus Christ crucified is the power of God and the wisdom of God. It's to reconcile us to himself, to ignite our heart from his, to equip us with truth from the mind of him who is Truth, to render us reflectors of his light into every nook and cranny and corner of life. Power, we must be sure to understand, isn't the capacity to coerce.
Power is the capacity to achieve purpose.
In the crucified One, God's judgement against us is rendered and is seen to be rendered. Yet in the crucified One too our sin is borne and borne away. In the crucified One arms are opened wide and an invitation is issued to any and all without distinction and without exception. In the crucified One the wisdom of God is made manifest and the power of God is rendered effective. For it is in the efficacy of the cross that our sin is dealt with, our defiance crumbled, our faith quickened, our gratitude awakened, our obedience freed.