Religion without the Cross.
By A. S. Hutchins
THOUGH the cross is the sign of ignominy and sufferings, yet it is the badge and glory of the true Christian. In this age of great and widespread religious declension, there are many who profess the Christian religion who have but a slight knowledge of the cross. To have a name to live, to profess separation from the world, to have chosen the narrow way to life, and yet shun the cross-bearing, self-denying duties of the Christian, and be borne along on the tide of public opinion and applause, as the bubble is borne on the surface of the water, will never secure the approval of Him who died upon the cross, nor give access to the city of God. Says the apostle, “And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offense of the cross ceased.” From thousands of pulpits at the present time, a gospel is heralded so highly popular and well-pleasing to the unregenerate, that one might almost think “the offense of the cross ceased.” Cross-bearing, self-denial, and suffering with the Man of Calvary, are neither proclaimed nor experienced. The crucified Lamb is not kept before the mind. The cross of Christ is not there. The separation from the world which the religion of the Bible demands is not recognized. Says Jesus, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Matt. 10:37, 38. And again, “Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” One who well knew what it was to “suffer persecution for the cross of Christ,” leaves on record the following testimony:— “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” The cross implies a crucifixion, and crucifixion implies a death, death to the world, but life, eternal life through Jesus Christ. Let us not be ashamed of the old paths in which men walked who were inspired of the Holy Spirit, nor think we can here walk around the cross and finally wear the crown with the ransomed of the Lord. Let us rather be able to say from the heart; “Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow thee.”