Cornerstone

According to dictionary.com, a cornerstone is "the chief foundation on which something is constructed or developed." In other words, regardless of what constitutes something, the cornerstone is the most important piece. It defines the essence of something.

There are innumerable things in Christianity that are not the cornerstone. Let me list a few, so that you have an idea:

• The age of the universe.
• Whether the big bang is true. 
• Whether Noah's flood was global or local. 
• Which translation of the Bible to use. 
• Whether or not (insert random famous person) is/was a Christian.
• Whether there are different roles for men and women in the church. 
• Whether premillenialism, postmillenialism, or amillenialism are correct. Perhaps its something else. 
• Correct church polity. 
• The degree of demonic influence. 
• Who the nephalim were. 
• Whether I may mow my lawn on Sunday. 
• Whether speaking in tongues is a gift for the church today and, if so, what it is. 
• Whether modern worship music is permissible. 
• Whether liberals are Christian. Or conservatives. 
• Who is allowed to take communion / the Lord's Supper / the Eucharist. 
• Whether all dogs go to heaven. 

Admittedly, these issues can be important to a greater or lesser degree. They are worth discussing, even passionately, in an attempt to seek truth. But how often do we colossally miss the point? Often people devote themselves to drilling down into one or more of these issues, losing sight of what is most important. Let me suggest that when any of these secondary issues eclipse what is principal, we do ourselves and others a great disservice. 

So, what does the Bible teach us is primary?  

• Alluding to himself, he told the Pharisees, "the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." (Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17)
• This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.--Acts 4:11-12
• For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures. -1 Corinthians 15:3
• The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.- 1 Timothy 1:15

Listen, Jesus is the cornerstone of everything related to the Christian faith. Do not become unduly distracted by secondary issues during those times when you have trouble seeing clearly the principle issue. Keep Christ your focus. He is the crux of the matter. 

"Although my memory is fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."--John Newton

A Good Friday Prayer: The Precious Blood

Blessed Lord Jesus,
Before thy cross I kneel and see
     the heinousness of my sin,
     my iniquity that caused thee to be
     'made a curse',
     the evil that excites the severity
     of divine wrath.
Show me the enormity of my guilt by
     the crown of thorns,
     the pierced hands and feet,
     the bruised body,
     the dying cries.
Thy blood is the blood of incarnate God,
     its worth infinite, its value beyond all thought.
Infinite must be the evil and guilt
     that demanded such a price.
Sin is my malady, my monster, my foe, my viper,
     born in my birth,
     alive in my life,
     strong in my character,
     dominating my faculties,
     following me as a shadow,
     intermingling with my every thought,
     my chain that holds me captive in the
     empire of my soul.
Sinner that I am, why should the sun give me light,
     the air supply breath,
     the earth bear my tread,
     its fruits nourish me,
     its creatures subserve my ends?
Yet thy compassions yearn over me,
     thy heart hastens to rescue me,
     thy love endured my curse,
     thy mercy bore my deserved stripes.
Let me walk humbly in the lowest depths
     of humiliation,
     bathed in thy blood,
     tender of conscience,
     triumphing gloriously as an heir of salvation.
-Valley of Vision

The Mercy Tree

Book Review: The Cross of Christ

John Stott, one of the statesman of evangelicalism, died last year. His classic work, The Cross of Christ (1986/2006) had been sitting on my shelf for a while.  I thought it was probably time to read this book, which is invariably considered a classic among most who have read it. 

The book is a wide ranging, yet theological rich treatment of the Cross.  Stott begins by addressing why the Cross is central to Christianity.  Indeed, it strikes many as odd that an instrument of execution and torture would be the central symbol of Christendom.  But the Cross of Christ is so much more than simply an instrument of torture.

You see, Christ accomplished much on the cross.  He was not just a great example or moral leader (moral influence theory), at his crucifixion, Christ actually died for us.  When he died, he bore the wrath that we deserve so that we might have his righteousness imputed to us--the great exchange. 

I could spend time delving into each of the nuances of the book, but let me simply state that if you have questions about the Cross, this book will almost certainly provide an answer.