Shall We Eclipse the Cross of Christ? – by Desmond Ford

Aug 27, 2015 4536

cross and shadowAny religion that eclipses the cross of Christ by the Mount of Sinai is a false religion; in whatever church it may happen.

The law says, “This do and thou shalt live.”

But the gospel says, “Live and thou shalt do.”

The law says “Pay me what thou owest.”

The gospel says, “I frankly forgive thee all”.

The law says, “The wages of sin is death.”

But the gospel says, “The gift of God is eternal life.”

The law says, “The soul that sinneth it shall die.”

The gospel says “Whosoever believeth, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

The law says, “Make you a new heart.” but the gospel says
“A new heart will I give you.”

The law says “Thou shalt love or else.”

The gospel says “Herein is love not that we’ve loved God, but that He loved us and gave Himself a sacrifice for our sins.”

When the law was given at Mount Sinai, 3,000 people died in a matter of days.

When the gospel was proclaimed at Pentecost, 3,000 people lived.

Three thousand sermons on the law won’t convert one person.

One sermon on the gospel will convert 3,000.

We’re not downgrading the law; we are saying that the law can only be fulfilled when the heart is filled with a love for Jesus Christ, having seen how Jesus loves us.

To run and work, the law commands,

But gives me neither feet nor hands.

But better news the gospel brings,

It bids me fly, and gives me wings!

The penitent thief had enough of law and it did nothing for him; he was still cursing when he was on the cross. But when he saw the gospel of the love of God – for “no-hopers” for fraudsters, for worms – when he saw that, then he called Jesus, “Lord.”

– Des Ford. Rom 8:27–32. Adapted from “The Only Two Religions.”

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