"May I never boast except in the cross
of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, through
which the world has been crucified to me,
and I to the world." Galatians 6:14
JESUS could accomplish man's
redemption in no other way than by
crucifixion. HE must die--
and die the death of the cross.
What light and glory beam around the cross!
Of what prodigies of grace
is it the instrument, of what
glorious truths is it the symbol,
of what mighty, magic power
is it the source!
Around it, gathers all the light
of the Old Testament economy.
It explains every symbol,
it substantiates every shadow,
it solves every mystery,
it fulfills every type,
it confirms every prophecy--
of that dispensation which had
eternally remained unmeaning
and inexplicable--
except for the death of
the SON of GOD upon the cross!
Not the past only, but all future splendor
gathers around the cross of our LORD
JESUS CHRIST. It assures us of
the ultimate reign of the SAVIOR,
and tells of the reward which shall
spring from HIS sufferings!
And while its one arm points
to the divine counsels of eternity past--
with the other it points to the future
triumph and glory of CHRIST'S kingdom
in the eternity to come. Such is the lowly,
yet sublime; the weak, yet mighty instrument--
by which the sinner is saved, and
GOD eternally glorified!
The cross of CHRIST is the grand consummation
of all preceding dispensations of GOD to men.
The cross of CHRIST is the meritorious procuring
cause of all spiritual blessings to our fallen race.
cause of all spiritual blessings to our fallen race.
The cross of CHRIST is the scene of CHRIST'S
splendid victories over all HIS enemies and ours.
splendid victories over all HIS enemies and ours.
The cross of CHRIST is the most powerful
incentive to all evangelical holiness.
incentive to all evangelical holiness.
The cross of CHRIST is the instrument
which is to subjugate the world to
the supremacy of JESUS.
The cross of CHRIST is the source
of all true peace, joy, and hope.
The cross of CHRIST is the tree
beneath whose shadow,
sin expires and grace lives!
beneath whose shadow,
sin expires and grace lives!
The cross of our LORD JESUS CHRIST!
What a holy thrill these words
produce in the heart of those
who love the SAVIOR!
How significant their meaning--
how precious their influence!
Marvelous and irresistible,
is the power of the cross!
The cross of CHRIST has subdued many a rebellious will.
The cross of CHRIST has broken many a marble heart.
The cross of CHRIST has laid low many a vaunting foe.
The cross of CHRIST has overcome and triumphed--
when all other instruments have failed.
The cross of CHRIST has transformed
the lion-like heart of man--
into the lamb-like heart of CHRIST.
And when lifted up in its own naked
simplicity and inimitable grandeur--
the cross of CHRIST has won and
attracted millions to its faith,
admiration, and love!
What a marvelous power does
this cross of JESUS possess!
It changes the Christian's entire
judgment of the world. Looking at
the world through the cross--
his opinion is totally revolutionized.
He sees it as it really is--
a sinful, empty, vain thing!
He learns its iniquity--
in that it crucified the LORD
of life and glory. His expectations
from the world, his love to the world--
are changed. He has found another
object of love--
the SAVIOR whom the world
cast out and slew!
His love to the world is destroyed,
by that power which alone could destroy it--
the crucifying power of the cross!
It is the cross which eclipses,
in the view of the true believer--
the glory and attraction
of every other object!
What is the weapon by which faith
combats with, and overcomes the world?
What but the cross of JESUS!
Just as the natural eye, gazing
for a while upon the sun, is blinded
for the moment, by its overpowering
effulgence to all other objects--
so to the believer, concentrating his
mind upon the glory of the crucified SAVIOR,
studying closely the wonders of grace
and love and truth meeting in the cross--
the world with all its attraction fades
into the full darkness of an eclipse!
CHRIST and HIS cross are infinitely
better, than the world and its vanities!
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