One More Thing…
The Seven Principles of Christian Nonconformity
#6: The Cross
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God” ~ Romans 12:2 (CSB)
“The reconciliation of justice with mercy lies in the Cross. God does not balance mercy and justice; He accomplishes both to the full.” ~ J. Budziszewski
“The Cross” is a kind of theological shorthand for Jesus’ ultimate act of servanthood. To speak about “The Cross” isn’t to suggest that God is in the business of murdering His son so that we can go to heaven. The Cross is a narrative of how God seeks us. Philippians 2.6-11 is an early Christian hymn about how Jesus emptied himself of privilege and became obedient. When that life of utter obedience to God enraged the religious and political leadership of his day, they put Jesus to death, and in continuing to be obedient to the point of a shameful political execution by the occupation powers, God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him.
The Cross is a story of execution, but it is also a narrative of resurrection. Most importantly, it is a description of faithfulness. It is not our intellectual agreement to a proposition that Jesus’ death saves us that actually leads us to salvation. It is the recognition that Jesus was and is utterly faithful to God in redeeming all of creation – including you and me. God’s mission is not to condemn sinners (John 3.17). God sent Jesus into the world to faithfully and completely offer light that overcomes darkness; that offers justice rather marginalization; that provides mercy instead of despair.
In the coming weeks, as we enter into the Lenten season, maybe we can find ways to focus on Jesus’ faithful obedience through the Cross as that which saves us from our propensity to self-destruction.
So, let’s go church (and celebrate the faithfulness of Jesus during Lent!),
Pastor Jeff
jeff@bgmc.net
P.S. Lord willing, I’ll be back in Pennsylvania this Sunday, March 2. I’ll be at the A&N Diner on Monday, March 3, at 7:30-8:45am, and I’ll be at the Broad Street Grind on Friday, March 7, at 3:30-4:45pm to listen to whatever is on your mind. Also, there is one more week in my current blog posts (March 9), then I’ll be turning over this space for a few weeks to our very capable Communications Assistant, Jen Hunsberger, as she develops a new series profiling our staff team here at Blooming Glen.