Johnhwilburn.com

During my time in States during February I saw a small podium at the Bible College where we stayed during a Bible Conference. What interested me about it is the podium was in the shape of a cross.

I immediately sent a picture of that to a friend in SVG, and commissioned him to make one like it.

Last Saturday he came and did an excellent job of creating a cross-shaped pulpit to be used for Sunday School, and prayer meeting services.

I am impressed with how the pulpit looks, but more importantly, it is a visual reminder. A reminder for myself, and everyone else that the cross of Christ is the only thing that can change people.

The cross (or the Gospel) focuses on turning to Christ in faith for Salvation. This is totally different than any other message which is man-centered and focuses on works.

Satan hates the Gospel….so he does everything possible to draw us away from that to false doctrine about works. It’s incredibly easy for us to drift into a “works-based” relationship with God instead of one that accepts Christ in faith, and submits to Him.

One of the most popular ways to drift from the cross is to preach the Gospel, but live in a way that focuses on works.

Lets say for instance you have a friend who is addicted to alcohol (a common problem here). You can tell that friend “stop drinking!” but that is not the true problem in his life. The true problem is his heart hasn’t been transformed by Christ. So we must change the heart, and then everything else will fall into place.

The truly sad thing is how many CHRISTIANS today are living in a works-based relationship with God that is about their own strength, and keeping the rules. How can we expect the lost to reject this false doctrine if Believers live this way?

The answer to this problem is keep coming back to the cross

Keep repeating the message of the cross that whispers “submit to me” while false doctrine shouts at the top of it’s lungs “do better!” Revisit the timeless truth that our heart will always be more important than our hands (outward actions). Remind Christians you will never be good enough….and that’s okay….because Jesus always will be.

The cross isn’t a message that will draw massive crowds every week but we keep proclaiming it.

Because it’s the only message that transforms lives.