THE CROSSES
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Two crosses stand empty. Dark silhouettes in the light of a new day, they remind us of the suffering Savior who is the light of the world. One cross bore a robber who embraced that light. Another—unseen—remains in darkness, for the robber on this cross spoke the words "save us," but only in mockery. There are no magic words or incantations, only hearts changed by a gracious God.
A Christian ethic is laudable, and the Golden Rule will temporarily reward those who follow it, but true Christianity lives or dies on a proposition rooted in real space-time history:
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." 1 Corinthians 15:17
In light of the resurrection, believers are to contend for the faith, but not contentiously:
"but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." 1 Peter 3:15-16
I fall short of that ideal at times, but a firm defense with gentleness and respect remains my objective. Feel free to remind me when I falter.
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