The cross is the ONLY means by which God invades and impacts the life of a believer in Christ Jesus. This is God’s ONLY method of salvation through Jesus Christ.
However, because the cross is inconvenient, painful, and shameful, the believers of today have largely abandoned the cross.
Instead of the cross of Christ, (and because there is no vacuum in the realm of the spirit), the devil has given us the INTELLECTUAL GOSPEL. A Gospel that costs little or nothing. A Gospel that makes sense to us. A Gospel that is contemporary, and easy to follow.
This intellectual Gospel looks right, sounds right, and feels right. And the church of today has bought into it massively!
This is the cross-less and powerless Gospel that has ‘a form of godliness’ – but lacks the power of God thereof (2 Timothy 3:5).
For the power of the Gospel of God is embedded in the cross. In the mystery of the cross. In the personal sacrifice of the cross. THAT IS THE WAY OF GOD – the way of the Gospel. THE ONLY WAY.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Then this: “WHOEVER does not bear his own cross and come after me CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE”. (Luke 14:27).
Where are the genuine disciples of Christ today? Where are the men and women that are strangers and pilgrims in this world (Hebrews 11:13, 1 Peter 2:11)? Where…?
Of a truth, millions and millions indeed ‘follow’ Christ today. But it is only through the intellectual Gospel – the mere head knowledge of the Bible. The knowledge of religion and doctrines. Believers are no longer dying to the world.
And the result of this fellowship of convenience is clear – BARRENNESS. A spiritual barrenness that is quite apparent to the mocking world. That’s why the world can afford to ignore the church today, and classify the Christian faith as one of the many religions in the world.
Is this why Jesus Christ came to suffer and die??? Just to give the world another religion???
O Lord, will you not revive us again? Will you not again raise men and women that are COMPLETELY SOLD OUT to the glory of your holy name? Men and women that will proclaim the glorious return of Jesus Christ in our generation.
How long, O Lord, how long…?
This article was written by Church watch in Nigeria. Connect with them here for more studies.