The Priority of My Life and Ministry

By Gordon E. Johnson

I have been asked by my students, Why do you always end your letters and devotionals with the phrase: “Yours in the Message of the Cross”? The question is most valid. Allow me to give you the background to this, my priority of life and ministry.

First of all, it is a biblical term in itself: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (I Cor. 1:18 NKJV). A little later Paul says: “But we preach, (announce) Christ crucified, to the Jews, a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (vv.22,23). Later he adds: “for I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). This is how Paul would deal with the open carnality of those in Corinth.

Continue reading five more facets of the priority of the Cross of Christ.
Professor Johnson taught at Rio Grande Bible Institute in Edinburg, Texas