NEWS & THOUGHTS ARCHIVE

The Cross

Evangelist Dr. Bob Sanders
April 1, 2007

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While the gospel is for all men and all seasons, we are especially mindful of the gospel this time of year as we celebrate Easter. As I meditated upon the Easter season, I found myself continually at the foot of the cross. There was one verse that continued to warm my heart as I looked to Calvary. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14 The cross was the object of Paul’s attention and affection. Like the Apostle Paul, the cross should hold a preeminent position in the heart of the believer.

The Cross is the Mark of the Christianity
The world is filled with countless religious symbols. They consist of beads, carved poles of animals, small statues of wood, stone, or metal, just to mention a few. But there is one universal symbol that bears the mark of Christianity; that is the cross. The cross is the mark of death to the old man. Paul said it was by the presence of the cross in his life that the world was crucified unto him. The cross deals a death blow to the affections of this world. The cross is a mark of demarcation. The Christian wants nothing of the world and the world wants nothing of the Christian or his Christ! For many the cross has been lowered to nothing more than decorative jewelry, but for the true child of God, it is the mark of Christianity. 

The Cross is the Message of Christianity
When writing to the church at Corinth, Paul said “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel . . . how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:1, 3). The message of world religion is do. The follower is required to accomplish some task in order to be in right relationship with his god. The message of Christianity is done! The believer needs only to accept the free gift of God’s grace made possible by Christ death on the cross. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” II Corinthians 5:21  

The Cross is the Measure of Christianity
How far would God go to bring sinful man into right relationship with Him? Because man was incapable of saving himself, it meant that God must do it all! Is there a limit to which God would go? God would make the ultimate sacrifice and pay the supreme price when He gave His Son on the Cross of Calvary. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16-17  

The Cross is the Means of Christianity
There is no such thing as Christianity without a cross. A man has a better chance of living without a heart than Christianity existing without the cross. While there is virtue in the words of Jesus and the earthly acts of Jesus, they have little significance without a cross. Without the cross Christianity becomes just another religion and Christ becomes just another god like Buddha, Baal, and Confucius. Other religions demand that its followers die for their god, but in Christianity, God dies for His followers.  

During this beautiful season of the year, may we purposely make a journey to the foot of the cross. It was our cross that He bore and our sin He became. The song that we sing, the peace we possess, and the new life that is ours is possible because of the cross of Calvary. The songwriter was right when he wrote, “In my hand no price I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.” If there be anything worth boasting in, it is the cross of Christ!

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”