Monday, April 25, 2011

THE OFFENSE OF THE CROSS

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Italian Public Schools have the right to display crucifixes. Had the Court ordered the Crucifixes removed, it would have meant that all religious symbols in European institutions were in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights. While at first glance the ruling may seem like a cause worth celebrating, Charles Colson of BREAKPOINT is warning that the ruling is actually a "very mixed blessing."

It turns out that religious liberty was not the basis of the Court's ruling. Rather, the court in its great wisdom determined that "the crucifix is not really a religious symbol." As Professor Stanley Fish observed in the New York Times, "Who knew?"

The Court decided that that crucifix is an "identity-linked," "historical and cultural symbol," that stands for "the liberty and freedom of every person, the declaration of the right of man, and ultimately the modern secular state."

The Court went on to state, "In Christianity even the faith in an omniscient god is secondary in relation to charity," which makes the cross an inclusive symbol.

Confessing Christians are rightfully concerned. But the offense of Cross is not new.

The Apostle Paul spoke of it in his letter to the Galatians. "Why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offense of the cross ceased." (Galatians 5:11)

The Cross is an offense to men who consider themselves wiser than the wisdom of God. They reject His absolute Truth and His unmitigated Authority. For them the simple Gospel is just too simple. Spoiled by their "vain philosophy" they, along with that Mars Hill gang, scoff at the necessity of Savior.

A few years ago Pastor Rob Bell was offended when someone suggested that Ghandi was in hell. "Really?" the Pastor questioned. This leader of the Emergent Church has no problem tossing the clear teaching of the Lord Jesus and replacing it with his version of a "new Christianity." How pitiful. A shepherd of Christ's flock who rejects Christ's teaching, "And these [the unrighteous] shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal." (Matthew 24:46)

The Cross is an offense to men who consider their behavior to be better than it actually is. Moralistic men who judge themselves by comparing themselves with others ridicule those of us who sing, "nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling." They cannot, or will not accept the notion that apart from the Cross they would be "without God" and "without hope." They hope that God will take note of their good works and consider them righteous. But listen to the Apostle Paul, "By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast."

The Cross is an offense to men who consider their importance to be greater than it is. Proud men are sure that if the Cross is necessary, it would most certainly be only for people who are as good, or as smart, or as wonderful as they are. I like the way Spurgeon put it, "The cross makes rich and poor enter by the same door, the cross makes the philosopher and peasant walk on the same highway of holiness." If a self-righteous man complains, "Am I to walk close to a prostitute or side with a drunkard on the road to heaven, then I will not go to heaven at all." If that's the way he thinks, he will have it his way. For the ground is level at the foot of the cross. And whosoever will may come.

The Cross is an offense to men who are sure that their Church, or some particular ritual, or their godly ancestry, will secure their place in heaven. The crowd that shouted "Crucify Him!" were sure that Christ was wrong. They thought that their connection to the Temple, their commitment to circumcision, and their family ties to Abraham would save them. But "the just shall live by faith." "Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a martyr for the cause of righteousness, wrote in THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP, "WHEN CHRIST CALLS A MAN, HE BIDS HIM COME AND DIE."

And here is the offense of the Cross. Unless we die to our wisdom, our self-righteousness, our self-importance, and to every claim we may think have to salvation, we simply cannot, and will not be saved.



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