The Cross of Christ

Read this story about a church taking down its cross and changing its name by clicking here. 

After reading the article, we are deep into the times, aren't we, in which Paul told young Pastor Timothy that were coming, when people will not endure sound doctrine?  They will want their ears tickled and they will amass teachers that will satisfy their own desires.  They will turn away from the truth and turn to myths.

The pastor of the church in the article said they meet to exchange ideas.  They have long since turned away from the truth.

Paul told the Corinthians that the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to those who are being saved the word of the cross is the power of God.  This is a gathering of perishing people, on their way to spending eternity without Christ.  Those who are meeting under this pastor's teaching are deceived, blinded by Satan, unable to see the power of the word of the cross.  They are chasing after myths.

The true church loves sound doctrine.  The true church loves the Word of God and embraces it only as truth.  The truth is that all are not God's children.  The truth is we are born into this world as enemies of God.  We are born spiritually dead because of sin and there is only one way to be made spiritually alive and become part of the family of God.  The word of the cross is what points people to the truth, that it is Christ's shedding of blood that atones for our sin.  Christ bore the wrath of God on the cross for those who put their faith in Him.  How sad that these people have removed the symbol of salvation.  They have no idea what the cross means.  It is foolishness to them.

After listening to a very gracious Dave, I agree, that it was the right thing for them to do, a thing of integrity, to remove the cross, since Jesus is the only way to the Father.  

To leave the cross up would misrepresent their claims. 

Since this article was written, the pastor of the church and Dave Wisen, CEO of the Christian relief organization who acquired the cross, have been invited on Fox and Friends Sunday morning show.  Pray for Dave as he has an opportunity to exalt Christ and to speak of the power of the cross on national television.  Pray for those in this church who removed the cross, that they would be cut in their hearts over the truth of the cross.  That they would repent of their sin of unbelief, and turn to the Truth.

Remember the cross of Christ.

Cherish the cross of Christ.

Reflecting on the cross reminds us of what our salvation cost our Savior and how we gained from His suffering.

"For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.  And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister."  Colossians 1:19-22.