The Cross Of Christ by Steve Shipley

The greatest need of the church today is to return to the message of the cross of Jesus Christ! True spiritual power comes from really knowing what Christ accomplished for us at the cross. That's where the "tossing to and fro by every wind of doctrine"  is eliminated. The cross spells death to all things of less importance. The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 6:14, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Jesus Christ."

In today's pulpits we hear everything but the message of the cross. Sermons on human psychology, self improvement, self worth, prosperity,  tolerance and social issues. But, my friend, those things do not make up the glorious Gospel that our Lord commanded us to preach to all nations. Paul stated in I Cor. 1:17, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel; not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of it's power." The modern church message abounds with "human wisdom", thus allowing the cross to be"emptied of it's power".  That is why many Christians are living a "powerless" life, easily deceived by false teachers and easy prey for the fiery darts of Satan.

The cross of Christ was not a place of defeat, but rather, the greatest victory in all of history! It is the foundation of our faith. Jesus not only paid the sin debt in our stead, but all the precious promises of the Bible were made good 2000 years ago when Jesus said, "It is finished." The 21st century church has removed the cross from it's decor and it's sermons, for fear that it may offend someone. Listen closely, friend; the cross will always be an offence to the unbeliever, but when it becomes offensive to the Christian and to the church, apostasy is not far behind!  You see, the cross is not only a reminder of what Christ did for us, but also the secret of the victorious Christian walk. The same rugged, blood stained cross that saved us is the same cross that will uphold us now. Jesus died upon that cross before he rose from the grave, and we too, must die to self, before we can walk in the 'n
ewness of life".

Dying to self and picking up your cross is not a popular message. It is one of the hardest lessons we must learn. No one likes to die, but you cannot live for Christ until you die to self.  It is no wonder that the cross is avoided or completely removed from the modern day church. Death is not a pretty or popular subject. C.S. Lewis said in his book "Mere Christianity" , "Jesus does not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. He does not want to cut off a branch here and there, but to have the whole tree down."

In these last days, the cross of Christ will be the dividing line between true believers and "false prophets". Lets us who are faithful live out the words of the old hymn; "The cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back, no turning back".

"I resolved to know nothing while I was with you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."    I Cor. 2:2