Then to what end, precisely, and with what attitude, do we “preach Christ crucified…”?

We know that Christ came to change where people are headed and how they live (John 10:10b; 13:17; 15:11). And he came out of love (John 15:13).

So while our preaching may reflect supreme confidence in our doctrinal rectitude over and against the wayward thinking of the rest of the world, if we do not earnestly depict the good that we desire for people, then our message lacks love and has all the impact of “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1 ESV).

I would understand 1 Cor. 1:23-24 to mean something like this: We do not try to impress people by way of astounding spectacles or an erudite philosophy. Rather, out of love, we aim to convey what Christ through his crucifixion achieved and how that transforms for good the lives of those who believe it.

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:2 ESV).

“And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Cor. 5:15 ESV).