No Cross, No Plus

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 22, 1914

No Cross, No Plus

THAT is cross as well as plus. We grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord by cross planting.

"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12: 24. "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1: 3, 4. "We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed." Rom. 5: 3-5.

We grow in Him only as we are planted in him, for the "likeness of his resurrection" is the fruit of the seed which had root "in the likeness of his death." Rom. 6: 5; Phil. 3: 10. "Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke 14: 27.

That negative horizontal minus (—) must go athwart the perpendicular (|) to make +. The crossbeam to form addition is subtraction. No cross, no disciple; for the certificate of discipleship must be certified daily by discipline. No submission, no mission. No cross, no plus; for they are of one. Olivet's base (Gethsemane) that witnessed the thrice bitter cup was that same Olivet's top that saw his triumphal ascent. Luke 22: 39; Acts 1: 12. And when he shall come again with "all the saints," of all the places of the renewed earth "his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives" first of all.

Where you have sown your bitterest tears for the Master, there you will reap your sweetest joy with him.

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca [weeping] make it a well [place of springs]; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength." Ps. 84: 5-7.

Baca's briny tears evaporated are what sunshine is analyzed into, love's prismatic promise.

Your trials are the examinations through which you must pass to higher standards.

Your crosses are your pluses.