The great offense

Galatians 5:11b In that case the offense of the cross....

My son Cal is a football fanatic. He is an animal in the trenches, but let's just say that his throwing motion has a lot to be desired. A lot. In working with him yesterday, there was a moment when his commitment to not listening and learning how to do it right, crushed him in crying frustration. Even he could see his performance left much to be desired. It was only until Cal was willing to acknowledge he was wrong, that he needed to give up his way and accept help from a loving father, and would leave his old failing habits behind and use the new, that he was able to improve his passing ability.

All analogies of the Christian life have holes, but there is a core dynamic in what happened to Cal yesterday, and all of those who accept or reject the offense of the cross. Now you might say," what is the offense of the cross? I thought that was all a happy point for us, it is an easy thing to accept and move on." That would miss the point of Gospel. The cross is offensive because we have to admit that we are in desperate need of God's rescue and leap into His design for our lives. We have to eat our pride, our individualism, and our own self desire and we just don't like to do that if we are honest. It is an offense to us because we are deceived that we are cosmic-like wise and important in our little 2010 bubbles. We aren't. We are in deep trouble. That is until you embrace the instrument of torture that slits the throat of the rebellious Adam that is living inside of you.

The Bible, history and common sense tell us that we all will die. The Bible and the future will attest that Christ is the the only one to have power over death. Do you want that? Do you want Jesus' death and life in the place of yours because yours is not worthy? That is the offense of the cross. Admitting that you and I are unworthy until we follow, submit and cherish the finished work of Christ.

Beware of being sold a synthetic gospel, a man made one that leaves out dying unto self. Until we do this no matter our church attendance or service records we are walking in our own death, not Christ's life. There is no blending of the offense into other half baked truths. It is loud and it is bold.

He is the Yes and Amen!