The Cross is to be worn, not as a badge of honor, but of humility.

I get concerned these days that the cross, a symbol of humanity's sin and God's grace, is being worn more as a badge of honor than one of humility.

Yes, I'm proud to be in the Christian faith.  Yes, I'm a Jesus follower.  Yes, I believe in God through Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of all in the World who has ever been, is, and ever will be.

Believing in that doesn't give me rank or status, especially elevated.

It simply gives me a sense of humility that God would love even me so much, that God would offer God's full self, this Son of God, even to the point of death on a cross, to show me just how far God will go to show me the grace God gives me, gives us all.  

It humbles me.  It's Jesus' status that is elevated, not mine.

Pride can do some evil things... it can change one from being humble into one who thinks s/he is better, more right, more deserving, more faithful, more knowledgeable, more... than others.   Look around.  In politics, that's exactly what's happening now.  And it's leading us to some unfaithful choices, laws and policies, and ways of being with each other.

It is Jesus himself, God very present, who humbled himself before us, washing the feet of his disciples, offering himself as a sacrifice for the consequence of others' sins, who...

Philippians 2:6-8    Look it up!

Where will your pride in your faith lead you?  Will the cross be for you more a badge of honor or one of humility?  You decide.

 

Peace in our journeys,

Pastor Steve Melde