Hope Road

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)

“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18)

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Ye who think of sin but lightly
Nor suppose the evil great
Here may view its nature rightly
Here its guilt may estimate
Mark the sacrifice appointed
See who bears the awful load
‘Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed
Son of Man and Son of God

Here we have a firm foundation
Here the refuge of the lost
Christ the hope of our salvation
His the name of which we boast
Lamb of God, for sinners wounded
Sacrifice to cancel guilt
None shall ever be confounded
Who on Him their hope have built

[traditional hymn, "Stricken Smitten and Afflicted"]
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I used to think the truth of the cross and the gospel was sort of an elementary truth of Christianity - meaning that it was something to be learned and understood at the beginning of the Christian walk, and then we could move on to other matters.

Little did I realize the powerful relevance the cross would have for me each and every day, for the rest of my life.

• The cross is what casts a shadow over me when I wake up in the morning - the shadow of forgiveness, and the shadow of responsibility.
• The cross is what gives me my reason for continuing to hope, even though the more I grow in godliness the more I am convinced of my own depravity.
• The cross is my only way to be forgiven. Without it, I would never be able to make penance for my sins. I would never be able to cry enough, or feel remorseful enough, or do enough “good” things, to atone for all the wrong that has characterized my life.
• The cross is how I enjoy the daily blessings of a life with God. No one who has not experienced this can quite know what it is like, though they can experience the emptiness without it.
• The cross provides the context for my interaction with others. In view of my Savior’s blood and anguish and great love for me, how can I hold others to account for the wrong they’ve done me? How could it even compare?
• The cross gives me hope for the future. No more atonement for my sins is needed. I am complete, whole, forgiven, and cleansed. At the foot of the cross, I have found true life.

Filed under: Christianity, Personal Reflection, Scripture on February 18th, 2008