The Finality of the Cross

The Finality of the Cross [Excerpts]

No matter how it is displayed, even as jewelry or graffiti, the cross is universally recognized as the symbol of Christianity, and therein lies a serious problem. The cross itself rather than what transpired upon it 19 centuries ago has become the focus of attention, resulting in several grave errors. Its very shape, though devised by cruel Pagans for punishing criminals, has become holy and mysteriously imbued with magic properties, fostering the delusion that displaying a cross somehow provides divine protection. Millions superstitiously keep a cross in their homes or on their person or make "the sign of the cross" to ward off evil and frighten demons away. Demons fear Christ, not a cross; and any who have not been crucified with Him display a cross in vain.

Paul declared, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" l Cor 1:18). SO the power of the Cross lies not in its display but in its preaching; and that preaching has nothing to do with the peculiar shape of the cross but with Christ's death upon it as declared in the gospel. The gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom:1:16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
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