The Cross Comes with the Christ

by    Dr. Donald E. Wildmon                                                                                                                         Vol. IV, No. 6, August 1991

[Excerpted from Don Wildmon's column in the August 1991 American Family Association Journal, p. 20. For subscription write AFA, P.O. Drawer 2440, Tupelo, MS 38805 and enclose your check for $15.]

Perhaps of all the ingredients of the Christian faith, the cross has been relegated to the background.

The cross is a symbol of suffering and shame, hurt rejection, humiliation, pain sacrifice, and even death. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't hear much in today's churches about the cross. "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

Hopefully I have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I simply don't hear the church calling many people to sacrifice – real sacrifice. I don't hear many calls for people to suffer for Christ, forget all else, and press on toward that high calling. ...

There is a great spiritual war going on in our society. Millions of Christians – including no small number ministers – have decided that the battle is not for them. Of course Christ calls us to different expressions of ministry, but it is hard to conceive that He exempts us from doing what we can in this particular spiritual battle. There is so much riding on the outcome. Perhaps one reason so many find involvement in this battle distasteful is the cross that comes with it.

I can understand the reluctance of both clergy and laity to get involved in this battle. It means taking up the cross. It means that we will be criticized and rejected by some. It means pain and hurt and rejection and suffering and sacrifice.

Am I involved in this struggle by choice? I guess I am, if one means by choice that there are no external forces prohibiting me from walking away. But I'm not here by choice, not really. I'm here because two thousand years ago one Man died for me, and His hold on my heart is so strong that I really have no choice. ...

Like one well known theologian I don't believe in cheap grace. When Christ calls one to follow Him, it is not to fill a seat in a pew on Sunday morning and drop a little money in the plate. When Christ calls one to follow, it means taking up that cross, that symbol of shame and suffering and humiliation and pain and rejection and hurt and – possibly – death. If you don't hear a sermon from time to time reminding you of that fact, you are being shortchanged and offered a counterfeit religion.

There is a spiritual war going on – don't sit on the sidelines. The Man on the cross needs you and calls you to serve Him on the front lines.

I appreciate Him so much that I have no choice – regardless of the cost – but to take up my cross and follow Him.

Don't reject His cross, because if you do then you will reject the Man on the cross. ...

[Comment: Don Wildmon was referring to the spiritual war being waged by most of the media of our country against traditional Christian standards of decency. As I read his column, I was struck also by its applicability to the spiritual battle among Virginia Baptists.

Whichever side you support, for heaven's sake stand up for it. Speak up for what you believe is right. Take a stand in the front lines for Christ. Of course you may be rejected by fellow pastors or by folks you grew up with. So what?

There seems to be great confusion among many regarding ultimate loyalty. If our actions stem from the desire to make everybody fond of us, never to experience rejection, never to be ridiculed, chances are doggone strong that our actual loyalties (as distinct from our professed loyalties) are with men and not with Christ.

"Blessed are you when men say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake." Our responsibility is not to be concerned with what folks think or say about us, but rather just to be certain if it is evil that it is (1) false; and (2) for Jesus' sake.

Those who aren't willing to stand up and be counted, those who just want to stay in the warm cocoon of their local church and ignore the white hot spiritual battle being waged right here in Virginia better reread Revelation 3:14-22. TCP.]