What does The Cross mean to you?"
Brethren,
Knowing that many are they,"
that are enemies of "The Cross," and simply have no interest, in embracing The WORD of The LIVING GOD, JESUS CHRIST, as their BOSS."
I point you to Philippians 3:17-21, and ask you to consider GOD'S WORD and instruction": Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of The Cross of CHRIST: whose end is destruction, whose GOD is their belly, and whose glory is their shame - who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in HEAVEN, from which we also eagerly wait for The SAVIOR, The LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to HIS GLORIOUS BODY, according to the working by which HE is able even to subdue all things to HIMSELF.
Brethren,
Knowing that our LORD, is able to subdue all things unto HIMSELF.
I point you to The Cross Atop the rocks of Mt Rubidoux, that stands gloriously."
The Cross was named after a certain missionary, who traveled extensively throughout California, establishing missions." His
name, is Junipero Serra."
Personally, I pray that he, and the people who worked with him to erect The Cross, were FAITHFUL Believers in the finished work of The Cross of CHRIST."
Yes, I pray that each of them, Believed that The LORD finished the work of REDEMPTION on The Cross."
Yes, and that that's exactly why HE exclaimed in John 19:30 : "It is finished!" And bowing HIS HEAD, HE gave up HIS SPIRIT."
The King James, says: HE gave up The GHOST." But I prefer," HE gave up The SPIRIT.
The LORD chose the very moment, that HE would give up HIS SPIRIT to leave The BODY!" Thus, assuring us, of these WORDS spoken in Mathew 28:18
There, HE exclaimed: All authority has been given to ME in HEAVEN and on earth.
And HE, Beloved, by The WORD of The LIVING GOD, JESUS, assures us in John 3:18, saying : "He who Believes in HIM is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not Believed in The NAME of The Only Begotten Son of GOD.
And because we Believe, Beloved, in HIS NAME," and in the work that HE finished on The Cross.
We can each appreciate, every Cross that's been erected for The GLORY of our LORD JESUS CHRIST." For The Cross itself, points everyone to the fact, that the sin of the world has been thoroughly judged."
And so I am convinced, that everyone who Believes in CHRIST, and HIS finished work of The Cross. Is grateful for every Cross that's been erected on public land."
I know that I am!"
Especially, for The Serra Cross, Atop Mt Rubidoux."
For it's that specific Cross, that The LORD brought me out of darkness, in order to point this lost and dying world to JESUS CHRIST, and HIS finished work of The Cross."
The Serra Cross was erected and placed Atop Mt Rubidoux, on April 26th, 1907. Just looking at it," I Believe, gives great encouragement to every sinner who knows, that in CHRIST, we have a SAVIOR."
An AWESOMELY LOVING SAVIOR, Who paid for the sin of the world!" But sadly,😥 most people want absolutely nothing to do with The WORD of The LIVING GOD, JESUS CHRIST, that wants them to follow HIM, and make them free of all condemnation.
For Romans 8:1 assures us, saying: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in CHRIST JESUS.
But unfortunately, they reject the Authority of GOD, and refuse to embrace HIM, Who says: Truly, these times of ignorance GOD overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because HE has appointed a day on which HE will judge the world in RIGHTEOUSNESS by The Man Whom HE has ordained. HE has given assurance of this to all by raising HIM from the dead.
Brethren,
It's truly unfortunate, that they reject HIM Who has given HIS very LIFE to SAVE them!" They refuse to embrace HIS finished work of
"The Cross, and will not have HIM, as their BOSS."
Thus, they echoe the WORDS from Luke 19:14 that says: But His citizens hated Him, and sent a delegation after Him, saying, 'We will not have this Man to reign over us.'
[They prefer to do the will of their father, the devil.
And because they do, they reject The Cross, because it is offensive to everyone who refuses to acknowledge their sin and transgression, before GOD.
And so they denounce The WORD of The LIVING GOD," and will by no means embrace the fact, that The "BLOOD" that was shed on Calvary's Cross, two thousand years ago, "Is humanity's only "REDEMPTION," and Hope of SALVATION."
They, "the unbelieving world," 🌎 reject The Cross of CHRIST, and they see it, "as foolishness!"
So much so, Beloved, that they file court cases, hoping to have The Cross removed from Mt Rubidoux, and all public land."
Yes, "to the unbeliever,
The Cross, Beloved," is foolishness!"
But to us who are being SAVED, it is The POWER of GOD unto SALVATION." Consider how 1st Corrinthians 1:18 reveals it, saying: For the message of The Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being SAVED it is the POWER of GOD.
Brethren,
Knowing that a great number of people, are against the erecting of Crosses on public lands. "Do you believe that a religious symbol, specifically a Cross, should be allowed on public land?"
I ask this, praying that we all would know, that The Cross, is “a powerful Christian symbol,” and “not a symbol of religion, at all?”
For it's only because of the finished work of The Cross of CHRIST, that humanity's REDEMPTION, and Hope of "SALVATION, is readily available to all who would Believe, and embrace CHRIST, as LORD, and SAVIOR." And that, Beloved, has absolutely nothing to do with religion!"
But only, "SALVATION."
Brethren,
The Cross has always been controversial. In the first century, the apostle Paul said, and wrote in 1st Corrinthians 1:17-18 that CHRIST had sent him “to preach The GOSPEL, not with wisdom of words, lest The Cross of CHRIST should be made of no effect. For the message of The Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being SAVED it is the POWER of GOD.”
Yes, the POWER of GOD unto SALVATION, for everyone who Believes!"
As followers of CHRIST, we see The Cross as more than a religious symbol.
It is the evidence of GOD’S POWER to free us from the tyranny of sin. Thus, GOD, through 1st Corrinthians 1:19-21 has these WORDS to say: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not GOD made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the Wisdom of GOD, the world through wisdom did not know GOD, it pleased GOD through the foolishness of the message preached to SAVE those who Believe.
To SAVE those, who what?"
Believe!" To SAVE those, and us," who Believe in our LORD'S finished work of The Cross!"✝️
In a "diverse and pluralistic" society, the controversy over religious symbols will continue. Whether a Cross can be displayed on public property will likely be determined by the courts. But displaying The POWER of The Cross through our lives will be decided in our heart, as we walk in obedience to The WORD of The LIVING GOD, and to being loyal to HIM, never depart!"
AMEN!"
Never depart, from being FAITHFUL, and LOYAL, to
JESUS
OK