Is the Cross False Advertising?

A few weeks ago I was looking at books for my children in a Christian bookstore. The special sale item was an Easter picture book for $5--great price and perfect for my 4 year-old. Thumbing through the book, I was shocked to see the only reference to the crucifixion were the words "and Jesus went to die." The picture on the page showed Jesus carrying a cross, walking up a hill.

No retelling of all he endured leading up to the cross and completely leaving out the events during the crucifixion. In our politically correct society let us not become a PC Body of Christ too.
What are believers to do with Christ and the cross?

First, we are to correctly tell His-tory. I can see book publishers gathered around storyboards discussing the graphic nature of the Easter story being too much for preschoolers. Someone probably speaks up to say '...and if we're not careful it could offend some readers.'

Has the cross and Christ's atoning sacrifice become too embarassing and hard to swallow for some? Apparently it has...




The Easter story is not a sweet and compact cross with lillies and bunnys. It's a brutal,bloody,gory,gut-wretching story that does not end at the cross. The Easter story is the story of our freedom as believers. Without the cross there is no hope for you and I--that is if you believe the Bible. As watering down the gospel increases within segments of the church community--we must stand firm and teach our children the TRUE, COMPLETE story of Jesus Christ.

It's hard to imagine a well-known author, speaker, and pastor saying the atonement of Jesus is nothing more than false advertising. McLaren is just one in a growing sea of emergent church voices who are leading believers astray with their new consumer-friendly Jesus who sends no one to hell because all roads (all religions) lead to him.

Let us remain diligent to teach the truth of God's word to our children--the complete and uncensored version that leads to life eternal.

As the emergent church raises their voice in hopes of diminishing the significance of Jesus' atoning blood, let us raise ours with the truth of the gospel that sets people free from sin and death.

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." Romans 3:22-25

Tomorrow, let me re-introduce you to the Christ...

Who Am I?

Do you know who you are in Christ? Do you know what God says in His Word about you? Dr. Neil Anderson in his book Victory Over the Darkness compiled a wonderful reminder list straight from Scripture.

I am accepted. John 1:12
I am God's child. John 15:15
As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
I have been justified. I Corinthians 6:17
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit. I Corinthians 6:19-20
I have been bought with a price and I belong to God. I Corinthians 12:27
I am a member of Christ's body. Ephesians 1:3-8
I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. Colossians 1:13-14
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. Colossians 2:9-10
I am complete in Christ. Hebrews 4:14-16
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.
I am secure. Romans 8:1-2
I am free from condenmation. Romans 8:28
I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. Romans 8:31-39
I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God. Colossians 3:1-4
I am hidden with Christ in God. Philippians 1:6
I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me. Philippians 3:20
I am a citizen of heaven. 2 Timothy 1:7
I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. I John 5:18
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. I am significant. John 15:5
I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of HIs life. John 15:16
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. I Corinthians 3:16
I am God's temple. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
I am a minister of reconciliation for God. Ephesians 2:6
I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm. Ephesians 2:10
I am God's workmanship. Ephesians 3:12
I may approach God with freedom and confidence. Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.



Fearless
Watch this down to earth teaching on who we are in Christ by Lisa Bevere and Joyce Meyer.

People-Pleaser

I heard about an online career test offered by a Christian ministry. The directions were simple--answer the questions and receive a list of possible careers suited to my personality. Taking the test was easy enough, but I was not prepared for the answer I received.

Our system cannot adequately complete your career profile.

What!? It took me 20 minutes to go through the test and now there's a glitch in the system?

Apparently, I was the glitch.

The system could not compute my answers because they were too generalized. Their suggestion--I get to know myself better because the answers reflected someone who worked hard to please others.

Shock. Aggravation. Admittance.

I knew a simple computer program had nailed me. In it's sterile computer language it had gone straight to the heart of the matter. I was a people-pleaser.

Being a people-pleaser is hard work. Being everything to everyone and doing it all to perfection was exhausting. While I admitted the program was correct I was helpless to do anything about it. Ask God? No way--I was working too hard to show Him how good and perfect I was. If He knew I was a people-pleaser He might be upset.

At that point in my life I could not tell you my favorite color, food, or Bible verse. I would answer these questions with what I knew to be your favorites. How had I allowed my life to come to this point?

I forgot who I was. Or, maybe I had never known.

For someone who had always know what she wanted out of life to be at a stage where I did not even know myself was devasting. It was the realization that I had no clue as to the person God created me to be that hurt the most.

It was a heavy burden I handed over to God that day. So heavy I could not lift it alone. The road to freedom was long but worth every step.

Where are you at today?
Do you spend your time trying to please others instead of the one who created you?

You have been created with specific gifts and talents that only you can do within the Body of Christ. The enemy would have us to believe we are insignificant and unimportant. In our society we are expected to be women who please everyone and do everything. That is not God's plan--that is the plan of the enemy. God has a specific plan for our lives and when we take our eyes off of Him and become distracted with people-pleasing we miss His will and often His divine opportunities.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)