Days Of Future Past

That of which is necessary

It's Christmas once again...and every year I struggle with the Christmas message so much that it hurts inside...I cry out to God in my prayers...

The reason is because I have been a part of my church's christmas outreach for 3 or 4 years now. I have written stories to try to bring across the message of Christ as plainly and simply as I can...but modern culture dictates that society seeks after reason, practicality and rationalism.

"Show me and convince me that I should believe in what you believe"

"You say that your God is good, but as a christian, you aren't an angel yourself"
(Don't get me wrong here, but I truly believe in being a good testimony as christians...but the bottomline is, Christ doesn't need us to testify FOR him. We instead are to testify OF him.)

"What's in it for me to believe in God? I don't need God, I never did, and I'm doing fine..."



Oswald Chambers commented:

"Very few of us have any understanding of the reason why Jesus Christ died. If sympathy is all that human beings need, then the Cross of Christ is an absurdity and there is absolutely no need for it...

When you find yourself face to face with a person who is spiritually lost, remind yourself of Jesus Christ on the cross. If that person can get to God in any other way, then the Cross of Christ is unnecessary...

If you think you are helping lost people with your sympathy and understanding, you are a traitor to Jesus Christ. You must have a right-standing relationship with Him yourself, and pour your life out in helping others in His way— not in a human way that ignores God...

The theme of the world’s religion today is to serve in a pleasant, non-confrontational manner.
But our only priority must be to present Jesus Christ crucified— to lift Him up all the time. Every belief that is not firmly rooted in the Cross of Christ will lead people astray...

The calling of a New Testament worker is to expose sin and to reveal Jesus Christ as Savior. Consequently, he cannot always be charming and friendly, but must be willing to be stern to accomplish major surgery. We are sent by God to lift up Jesus Christ, not to give wonderfully beautiful speeches...

We must also be sharply intent on sensing those Scripture passages that will drive the truth home, and then not be afraid to apply them."


The Cross of Christ is all that matters. Oswald Chambers lived from 1874-1917, yet in those early days before the onset of globalistation, he already saw that the gospel was sugar-coated...to "CONVINCE" people to reconcile with God, instead of the plain truth that the gospel is to CONVICT people that God is reconciling them to HIM.

The Cross stands as the central feature of the gospel message. In the Cross everything we believe in material terms is challenged. It challenges our seeking power, and it challenges the right to use that power. It tells us of the simplicity of life itself, and the profoundity of what happens when we understand what is happening on those two pieces of timber (when Jesus was crucified on it) - Jesus said, "...For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." (John 18:37)

The Cross decribes for all of us what sin is. We see the horror and darkness of it. I'm sure we've all watched Passion Of Christ. Just an illustration - faced by two choices, would I rather be hit by a huge truck, or the shadow of that truck? Of course I'd rather be run over by the shadow of that truck. The next time I see the Cross, I'll remember that when Jesus went to the Cross for me, the "truck" of God's judgement went over him; it's only the shadow of death that goes over me...

The reality of the Cross...

Billy Graham never ever spoke anywhere on any subject without mentioning the Cross...the cross takes the penalty of sin from us and offers us forgiveness...


The heart of God can be illustrated like so:

A school teacher dealt with a little child who had messed up in his test...

He came to my desk with a quivering lip
The lesson was done
Have you a new sheet for me dear teacher
I've spoiled this one
I took his sheet all soiled and blotted
Gave him a new one all unspotted
And into his tired heart I cried
Do better now my child

I went to the throne with a trembling heart
The day was done
Have you a new day for me dear master
I've spoiled this one
HE took my day all soiled and blotted
Gave me a new one all unspotted
And into my tired heart HE cried
Do better now my child

posted by HanQiang @ 8:24 am