When we talk about the Christians cross, we cannot avoid focusing on the second article of the Creed, “I believe in Jesus Christ etc.” After all, it is in relation to his cross by which he bore our sins in our place that we understand the afflictions we must endure during our earthly pilgrimage. It is as Jesus says, “a servant is not above his Master. (John 15:20)” But it is useful for us to examine what our cross is in our relationship to God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, the first article of the Creed. First, lets define the cross. Jesus says, “Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me,(Matthew 10:38)” and “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)” The cross includes physical and verbal persecution, but it also includes any kind of affliction that we must endure as we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). It therefore involves the inner, spiritual struggle of the Christian. How often do Christians experience either persecution or terrible tragedies? The comfort we receive from God is more than just receiving God physical rehabilitation. In fact, our physical or emotional restoration often never comes in this life. When Christians suffer they must cope with the spiritual struggle. Jeremiah laments, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? (Lamentations 12:1)” We must cope with the fact that what we see does not seem to correspond to what God promises. This cross is necessary if we are Christians. We will get more into the cross in how it relates to Jesus in the next part when we deal with the second article. But let us first learn from the Scriptures how our life under the cross relates to our stance before our Father in Heaven..... [Continue reading at the link]
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:50:44 +0000
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