How does God transform those who believe the gospel?
God transforms those who believe the gospel through the preaching of the cross, the preaching of the gospel itself. It is an act of God that opens understanding that the one crucified for sin is the answer and imparts eternal life. This transformation is by faith plus nothing, not by signs or wisdom.
Les explains that many who come under this teaching suddenly realize it is an act of God that opens the understanding that the one who died 2,000 years ago was the answer to the sin problem and can impart eternal life. Paul says that through the foolishness of preaching—the preaching of the cross, the preaching of the gospel—God will literally transform those who believe. Nothing else. Faith plus nothing. The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but Paul says we do not pay attention to either one; we preach Christ.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
What actually transforms a person who believes the gospel — the preaching of the cross, or something else?
The preaching of the cross—the gospel—is what literally transforms those who believe. Through the foolishness of preaching, God opens understanding that the One who died two thousand years ago answers the sin problem and imparts eternal life. It is nothing else; it is faith plus nothing.
What does the preaching of the cross do for those who believe?
The preaching of the cross literally transforms those who believe, as it is through the foolishness of preaching that God opens understanding. It reveals that the one who died 2,000 years ago is the answer to sin and imparts eternal life, with faith plus nothing.