1 Corinthians 2:6-8 (ESV)
6
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
7
But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
8
None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
I am fascinated with physics. I am especially enamored with "String Theory." Physicists are seeking to explain the nature of the universe in one all-encompassing theory. I hope they are able to do so in my lifetime on earth. I would love to hear it all explained.
Yet, I wonder if Christians realize that God's whole message to us can be explained through the Cross. I don't think so because Christians continue to flock to messages which speak the language of this world. The preachers of the worldly language continue to preach messages which touch on the superficial and immature nature of the faith. They only speak of a God who provides, heals and directs while on the earth. They speak of heaven as the reward of knowing Christ but do not put the whole thing together. It appears to the casual observer that there are many unrelated messages rather than just one that holds all the messages together.
Jesus did not only come to reveal a God who provides, heals and leads. All of this is true but we must break out of elementary level of faith to understand that Jesus came to make us whole. As long as we believe that He came to provide, heal and lead alone we will only come to Him when we need provision, healing and leading. Our faith in Christ will be a add-on which helps us live this life on earth. Thus, our lives will continue to be centered around this earth.
Centering your life around the things on this earth will result in holding back. It will become unnecessary to live inconvenient Christian lives if Jesus came to enhance this life. In fact, sacrifice makes no sense if this is the case. Tithing makes no sense. Going to be a missionary makes no sense. Giving up a lucrative job to enter the ministry makes no sense. If Jesus came to better this life we ought to live this life as "better" as we can.
The message of the Cross doesn't negate that people have to live in this world. It merely makes this world a transitory state of being. It reveals that the comforts and recognized accomplishments given by this world will matter very little in eternity if they matter at all. The Cross illumines the brevity of this world. It provides true meaning in a life which has died to self to live for Christ. It does not grasp for more of this world but longs for the life which comes.
The one explanation of the life of faith is found in the Cross. Everything ties to it. The way we live, the reason we sacrifice and the hope we long for is found in the Cross.
It is the Theory of Everything.
"For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."
I Corinthians 2:2
1 comment:
One pertinent question is this: what is your belief of what God requires, or what I call the "must have".
Increasingly, more and more people are buying into the only thing God requires, is that one enters into salvation FULLSTOP. When one believes that, everything else is "nice to have", or optional, "up to you"! One can see, it is not the CROSS is NOT in there, the question is what is in the Cross Theory.
One Cross Theory, now ever so popular is this: Just enter into salvation, and you are saved once and forever, regardless, for all your sins, past, present and FUTURE, are forgiven you at the point of entry. Immutable, even to God! God also cannot change it! You are fully righteous, and you cannot be otherwise anymore! So, what is one to do with his life, under such a overly grace theology? Simple, nicely put, it is you just bask in grace. If you are like me, wanting to call a spade, a spade, it is the proponents are saying (although they claim they are not) you can do what you like, it does not make a damned difference! Jesus cried, "It is finished"; so it is finished-lah, the proponents will tell you. Accordingly, they would say that you are fully righteous, never ever be unrighteous again, no matter what you do; and you have the full mind of Christ-what; whatever you find yourself doing, that must be the thing God is wanting you to do. If it is going for wealth and prosperity on earth, so be it, if it is after prestige, so be it, if it is to have fun, so be it, if it is doing this, so be it, if it is doing that, so be it, or if it is nothing, so be it, no need to 'should' or 'ought'. But, they forget to tell, also, you cannot be wrong or doing any bad or evil , since you have the full mind of Christ! Load of crap, yet it is popular, and mega churches are behind it! Well, if such is the Cross Theory, I should bang my head to the wall, for I simply am not that fully righteous like they claim, neither am I perfect like they say; I still do wrong-le! My conscience still pricks me-le! I am still needing to know what is the next thing on God's mind for me to do-le!
What is your Cross Theory? What is his Cross Theory? What is her Cross Theory? What is THE CROSS THEORY? Include these or not:
Love and continue to love God & love fellow brothers & sisters and fellow men
Practise and continue practise righteousness even as you are righteous!
Be led and continue to be led by the Holy Spirit
Do and continue to do the will of God
Forgive and continue to forgive others
Resist and continue to resist sin
Don't love and continue not to love things of this world
Don't love and continue not to love money
Don't worship and continue not to worship another
Be of faith, be of hope and be of love, always
Die and dying to self and live and living for Christ
All are 'must have'? Any 'nice to have', there? Or are they all 'nice to have'? ???
Anthony Chia, high.expressions
Post a Comment