03/05/2026
PROOF OF DEPRAVITY
I declare I know no greater proof of a man's depravity than the fact that thousands of so-called Christians see nothing in the cross. Well may our hearts be called stoney, well may the eyes of our mind be called blind, well may our whole nature be called deseased, well may we all be called dead, when the cross of Christ is heard of and yet neglected. Surely we may take up the words of the profit, and say, "Hear, O heavens, and be astonished O earth; an astounding and horrible thing is done," if Christ was crucified for sinners, and yet many Christians live as He was never crucified at all.
~J.C. Ryle
Paul declares, "woe is me if I do not preach the gospel," in 1 Corinthians 9:16, emphasizing his divine compulsion and obligation to proclaim Christ. This conviction stems from his mandate to share the crucified Messiah as God’s power and wisdom, despite it being a stumbling block to many.