2. The Cross of Jesus Christ is Not Culturally Relevant
While this portion may be obvious to some, I feel as though it can’t be overstated. While the cross is relevant to all people in all cultures, the cross confronts culture, it does not conform to culture. It is a culture of it’s own that points to a freedom of living rightly before God. A place of joy, peace, and forgiveness that is unattainable by any other source. The culture says there are many ways to life, the cross says there is only one way to life.The culture says do whatever brings you pleasure, the cross says live your life for the pleasures of Heaven.
The cross stands and reminds us of our sin and our short comings. It forces a dependency on Christ and His redemption to make us right with the Father. As I write these words, I feel the weight of how harsh they may come across to some, but I write these words knowing that the heartbeat of the cross IS love. At the center of the crossbeams was the HEART of Christ. He loves all and died for everyone. In my life I’ve never regretted leaving the way of the culture by laying aside my sin or selfish ambitions. As I’ve allowed room for the cross in my life, I’ve crucified the ugliness in my heart that makes me hurt myself and others and live only for me. I’m not perfect, but I welcome the confrontation of His perfect love to my soulish desires to make me more like Him.
It isn’t “cool” to take up your cross. It’s not a fad that can come and go or a popularity status. It is also not a weapon to wield around to inflict pain on others because you believe you carry a cross. The true cross, the cross of Christ does not wound others because He was wounded for us. It will however call you to lose your life and find it in Him and conform to the culture of Heaven.
The vertical and horizontal beams of the cross are heaven’s + (plus sign) to us. It shows that there is only life that can be added from death on the cross. Just as Jesus willingly gave His life and won victory over sin and death, so can we. I may lose something like a lying tongue at the cross, but I receive freedom to produce a reputation of integrity. God’s intention in losing your life in His son was that you’d gain far more than this world could ever offer.
(If you didn’t read part 1, scroll down)