“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.” Galatians 6:14

Sadly, the preaching of the Cross of Christ for victory over the world, the flesh and the devil is too often rejected by the Believer or simply intellectually dismissed by the religious as foolishness. At the same time 40 days of purpose, paradigm shifts and humanistic psychology are warmly embraced.  No longer do the seeker sensitive preachers seek God for what HE wants the people to hear on Sunday morning but a series is handed down from the denominational headquarters or a sermon picked from the internet presented to the people so the congregation will erupt with an emphatic response which denominational rules determine.  For some denominations, jumping up and down screaming “Hallelujah!”, “Glory to God!” or “Amen!” is out of order.  While others deem one spiritually dead if you’re not moved to a response.

Religion is pleasing until it is confronted with Biblical Christianity which lays waste the traditions of man.  The hindrances which arise from denominations are revealed when the Word of God is the plumb line. What was once deemed foolishness for overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil in our daily lives is exalted on high when the revelation of the Cross of Christ is given to those who have believed.

When a born again Child of God understands we have deemed the Cross of Christ as insufficient for victory over sin by running after 40 days of purpose or some other vain philosophy to gain dominion over sin (Romans 6:14) we are either humbled or rebellious.  Our reaction is dependent on the condition of our heart.  The true condition of our heart is often revealed in our reactions.  Religion focuses on our actions when the Lord will use our reaction to show us the true intent of our heart.

“²⁵ But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

²⁶ If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” James 1:25-26

Man’s vain religions deem the Cross of Christ as foolishness for daily living but for those who are saved, the Cross of Christ is the power of God.  The Cross of Christ is sufficient for our every need.  Jesus is the Source and His Cross the means by which we receive from God.  We receive Salvation and Sanctification through the Cross of Christ.  Who Jesus is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross IS the power of God…be determined to know nothing else among you.

-Donna Clark Warren