Cross Purposes

I've called this blog "Cross Purposes" for two reasons. First, that everything here is about Jesus Christ, the crucified King. His cross, and His rule, are the only reason, context, wisdom, glory, purpose here.

The experience of living has convinced me in every way that Jesus is the only Source of life, and its whole purpose. That realization is a result of faith He's imparted, not of my own clever observation and deduction. But I consider that faith has been confirmed to my understanding. At every point I observe or experience, to every extent I can understand, Jesus is manifestly Lord.

But it's not just "me and Jesus," as Tom T. Hall sang. Every believer is a functioning part of His living Body on earth, the Church. We are interdependent with every other part of that Body, and each of us dependent for life and leading on Jesus, our Head. The operative fact of Christianity is being part of something larger and more important than ourselves.

By the circumstance of birth, I live in Christ's Body in America, so my concern is that His American Church follow Jesus' leading, and glorify Him in this land. It grieves me that we do not. The American Church has forsaken the leading of Jesus to follow political deceivers. Jesus said His sheep would hear His voice: the American Church instead listens to, and APPROVES, the hateful slander of radio "commentators." Jesus harshly denounced the socio-religious conservatives of His time, the Pharisees; the American Church embraces and identifies with those of our time. Jesus appointed us to minister His hope and His peace in our land; we go forth as "culture warriors," spreading condemnation and divisiveness, in His name !

What I hear God saying relentlessly and continuously to the American Church is "REPENT, and return to your First Love." It's a message that's not welcome in the politicized American Church. Giving that message puts me at cross-purposes with many of my fellow Christians.

But the message is GOOD news. Jesus hasn't given up on us. As far as we've departed from Him, He still holds out the possibility that we can turn from our wicked ways, and seek His face. If we will, He still promises to forgive our sin, and heal our land.

My hope is that the American Church will DEEPLY repent, while God gives us time. I hope we will listen to our Shepherd's voice, and only follow Him. I hope we will turn back to Him with all our heart: He's merciful to those whose hearts are entirely His.