What is the preaching of the cross to those who perish versus those who are saved?
To those who perish, the preaching of the cross is foolishness. But to those who are saved, it is the power of God. Salvation is not something man can work for; it must be the exercise of the sovereign power of Almighty God, for only God can bring about spiritual salvation.
Les explains that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish, but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God. He emphasizes that salvation has to be an exercise of the sovereign power of an Almighty God, which is why man cannot work for his salvation. All man has is physical strength, but only God can bring about the salvation of the spiritual. It has to be the power of God. Les also notes that the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but Paul says they would not bother with either one. Instead, they preached Christ crucified: unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. Yet unto them who are called, Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.