Love > Power
In the 4th century, the Roman emperor Julian—often called Julian the Apostate—wanted to bring back the old Roman gods. Though raised in a Christian household, he rejected the faith and blamed Christianity for weakening Roman traditions. As emperor, he poured money into pagan temples, encouraged priests to be more generous, and tried to restore Rome’s former glory.
But he had a problem: the Christians were better at love than the empire was at power.
In a letter to a pagan priest, Julian complained, “The impious Galileans support not only their poor but ours as well.” He saw that Christians cared for the sick, fed the hungry, and welcomed the poor—regardless of who they were. His own revival couldn’t match the strength of their love. He had soldiers, wealth, and temples. But they had Christ—and that made all the difference.
1 Corinthians 1:20-31
In 1 Corinthians 1:20–31, Paul writes to a church caught up in a culture that admired success, cleverness, and power. But Paul flips the script. He points to the cross—a symbol of shame in Roman society—as the very thing God used to save the world.
To most people, the cross looked like a shameful defeat. In Roman society, it was the worst way to die—reserved for criminals and rebels. No one would have looked at Jesus hanging there and thought, “This is a victory.” But Paul says the message of the cross is the power of God for those who are being saved. What looked like loss was actually love—God's love for the world.
Paul reminds us: God didn’t choose the impressive or powerful. He chose the humble, so no one could boast. Jesus is our wisdom and our strength. In God’s kingdom, love triumphs—not status or force. The cross wasn’t a failure—it was love doing what power never could.
Things to Ponder
Why do you think God chose to use something “foolish” like the cross to save the world?
What kind of people does God choose to work through, according to this passage?
Can you think of a time when love made a bigger impact than being in charge or being right?
How can our family choose love—even when it doesn’t seem like the most “powerful” option?
What’s the difference between worldly power and God’s kind of strength?
Application Challenge
This week, watch for a moment where you’re tempted to get your way, prove your point, or be in control. Instead of pushing forward, what would it look like to choose love instead? It might mean listening when you’d rather talk, serving when you’re tired, or forgiving when it’s hard.
Remember—love is never wasted. It may not always look like winning in the moment, but it’s how God changes hearts, homes, and even history.
Prayer Prompt
Jesus, thank You for showing us that love is stronger than power. Help us trust Your wisdom, even when it feels upside down. Teach us to live in a way that points to You—not by trying to impress others, but by choosing grace, humility, and love. Use even our smallest acts of kindness to reflect Your heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.