This morning the Holy Spirit told me what we all know, but maybe have forgotten. It was the cross of Jesus that brought us to repentance, and to our salvation.
Romans 6:6 For we were co-crucified with Him to dismantle the stronghold of sin within us, so that we would not continue to live one moment longer submitted to sin’s power.
I could not help but to think of the many churches across the land that no longer have a visible cross. They have either taken it away completely, or hidden it in a backroom somewhere. It has become nothing more than the symbolic representation of being a Christian, but like so many things that may not be considered politically correct in this nation, it has been removed from sight.
Many do not want to drive home the necessity of living a holy sinless life, the fear of God, or a relationship that is based on repentance and forgiveness. It is far better, and considered seeker friendly when we do not press people into looking at the sin in their lives. This way everyone is happy and the church is full.
What a disservice to a believer, what a case of robbery, when an individual does not learn of the power of the cross. It is like telling Jesus to be silent!
When you chose to soften the message, leaving out the need to stop sinning, the church becomes nothing more then a meeting place for fellowship. It is what is thought of as a lukewarm church and we know that Jesus made His opinion of such a church very clear.
1 Corinthians 1:18-19 To preach the message of the cross seems like sheer nonsense to those who are on their way to destruction, but to us who are being saved, it is the mighty power of God released within us. For it is written: I will dismantle the wisdom of the wise and I will invalidate the intelligence of the scholars.