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GHS International "How great are His signs, And how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, His dominion is from generation to generation." |
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Volume I No. 2 |
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Reflections on The Cross “The Provocation of the Cross” “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God,” 1 Corinthians 1:18 It has been said that the wonderful thing about the old hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” is that it is theologically neutral; it can be sung in any Christian gathering without creating contention or theological debate. “The Old Rugged Cross” beautifully states the power and majesty of God’s chosen instrument of our salvation. While the old hymn may not be a cause of contention, such is not the case with the cross of Christ itself. There is no neutrality in this world and no common ground between the believer and the unbelievers: “… for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14. Nothing illustrates this truth like the cross. The cross for so many has been reduced to a mere symbol, as in the case of the crucifix. While the crucifix is a religious ornament, it none less demonstrates the power of the cross to polarize. As a symbol the cross is hated by atheists, Jews, Muslims and pagans alike. Christians have been beheaded for wearing it. The cross evokes hell’s hatred because it is the icon of Christianity and the instrument by which the Lord Jesus Christ destroyed the works of the devil. No other symbol captures the message of Christianity like the cross. That being said, wearing a cross or adorning house and home with it is far cry from embracing its message through faith and knowing the power of God that is released through it. Historically, countless thousands of men have been crucified and suffered death on a cross; however, not one of their deaths affected the eternal destiny of humanity. Why? Because not one of them was the Eternal Son of God possessing a sinless nature, Who lived a sinless life and laid that His life down as a sin offering and had the authority to take His life back again! The Word of the cross has the power to save because of the One, Who was crucified – “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” Symbols do not save, but when the cross is preached and the object of the sinner’s faith is the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work upon it salvation results! The cross is far more than a symbol, it is also a sign. A Sign is signal that points to something and in the case of the cross that something is what old Simeon prophesized to Mary: "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed.” Luke 2:34. Those who embrace the word of the cross will face opposition and persecution.“ “You will be hated by all because of My name; A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.” Matthew 10:22; 24. As He was in the world so are we and we are marked by the cross; it is source of our salvation and while it imparts eternal life, it also promises continuous spiritual warfare and opposition. Peter reminds us that persecution and suffering are the norm for the Christian: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you …” 1Peter 4:12. Opposition to the Gospel and our desire to live a godly life is a sure sign that we have embraced the power of the cross and are walking by faith. This may not be a popular message today, but it is the truth. It is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to those of us who are being saved! America is rapidly becoming a pagan nation and in the name of tolerance, pluralism and diversity our culture is embracing everything that God calls evil and promotes it as good. The so called “wise men” of our day scoff, mock, and ridicule the very notion of sin and the need for salvation. Sin is an almost extinct term even among Christians. Crimes, immoral behavior, and unethical conduct are called “mistakes.” Modern man’s mental and behavioral problems are referred to as: issues, complexes, fetishes, phobias, conditions, orientations and chromosome disorders. The prescribed cures are psycho-analysis, self-indulgence and pharmaceuticals. If you call it what God calls it, SIN, you will be stoned for stumbling them and offending their pagan sensibilities. Peter declared: "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.” 1Peter 2:8. The cross does not reform, rehabilitate, medicate or educate sinners and their sins; it executes them. “The wages of sin is death,” and the cross is the legal penalty, or “wage” for sin! The cross deals a death blow to the source, not the symptoms and it brings life and liberty as a free gift! Lastly, the cross is a standard. Every army of antiquity had a standard; the Roman army had the Eagle as its standard and the standard bearer led the legions of Rome into battle. The Eagle represented the might and power of Rome; and, wherever the Roman standard touched the ground that ground was declared to be the property of the Roman Empire. The army of God, the Church, has as its standard the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our symbol, sign and standard and it declares that: "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” When we venture into the world and earnestly contend for the faith, we are asserting the crown rights of our King and His Kingdom and we are declaring war on the enemy and demanding his release of those held captive because their minds are blinded. Preach the cross and you will know that no one is apathetic when it comes to its message. The cross always provokes a response! No man can remain neutral to the message of the cross; it either condemns him or commends him; it is either foolishness, butcher shop theology, myth, the psychological crutch of weak minded; or is it the power of God unto salvation. The cross is the standard by which every man and woman will be judged. It is a wondrous cross!
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