The Word Of The Cross

Statements in Romans 1. and 1 Corinthians 1. are somewhat similar. In the former we read that the Gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth"; and in the latter that "the word of the cross is to them that are perishing foolishness; but unto us which are being saved it is the power of God." The one shows the power that saves the believing sinner; the other the power available to the obedient saint. The Cross, which is God's cure for man's proud heart, seemed the most foolish of all things to the Greeks, and a stumbling block to the Jews, yet it is the Christian's wisdom to him it is the tree of life, without Cherubim and flaming sword between. Here the way back to God is opened up; and the way is one for sinner and saint, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life : no one cometh unto the Father, but by Me

(John 14. 6). Having come to God by Him through faith, we may come again and again, for the way is opened wide, the new and living way. When God's salvation has reached a sinner, he needs to learn that he is not his own, but he has been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6. 19, 20). We are bought to be servants of God, and like the child Samuel in the temple we should say, "Speak, for thy servant heareth"; and when He speaks we should let none of His words fall to the ground. Paul too, could say, "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision ; what an example this is! Samuel's words to Saul contain a fundamental principle-" Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams"

(1 Samuel 15. 22).

Again, a good soldier of Christ Jesus should obey the commands of His sovereign Lord. Obedience to authority is one of the first lessons which soldiers of the king learn: and futile would be a campaign by any army were this not rigorously adhered to: confusion and defeat would undoubtedly ensue. Yet alas, lack of obedience is only too evident among believers; and if any have learned better, surely it is all of His grace.

The race too, has to be run, but it must be according to the rules of the race if we would obtain the prize. Many runners may be disqualified; for the judgement seat of Christ will reveal how closely the eyes of the Lord have followed the runners in the whole course. Alas, if we should find that there has been much wasted energy and misspent time because due heed was not paid to the Lord's commands! In some cases it may be that the believer's life has been wasted ; in it there has been little of God and hence little for God.

Moses in Psalm 90. shows how short is our life, and brief our opportunity; our few years will come to an end as a sigh and then all will be still. Oh, how important that we waste not our precious time-our brief day of opportunity! May it be that "Thy work" of verse 16, may have been our work of verse 17, for if we have not been engaged in His work, then the work of our hands will never be established.

Little is much if God is in it;

Man's busiest day is not worth God's minute.

May we learn well the message of the Cross, that the Blessed One who gave Himself completely and devotedly to the Father's will, wrought the greatest of all work, and the foundation of all divine service.

unknown | Jul 1933
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