Life is full of choices, and God gives us free will to choose. Many of us do not realize that if we do not choose the cross of Christ then the only other choice is the cross of the world. The cross of the world looks good at first and offers many pleasures that only give temporary satisfaction and eternal damnation. While the cross of the Christ is not easy and involves suffering that molds us into His image, and it offers us eternal life. Which cross do you choose? If you have not yet made the choice, then after you read Nader’s article this week, you may be able to make a better decision.
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The message of the Bible always gives human beings two choices and then divides human beings into two categories – those who choose God’s way and those who don’t. As we read in the Bible:
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction… Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to turn a man against his father... But the people of the city were divided, and some sided with the Jews, while others, with the apostles. Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe. Matthew 7:13-14 and 10:34-35, Acts 14:4 and 28:24
So, when I look at the stories of murder, robbery, rape, etc., I see that sin can turn a human being who was created in the image of the God of love and holiness into a monster. And I think this type of choice to live in sin is to take up the cross of the world and to gratify the selfish, physical, and egotistical desires of this world. And the fruits of the cross of the world with the cooperation of man according to the Word of God are:
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21
On the contrary, a man who chooses another kind of life can decide to become like his Creator. The Bible calls that life the way of the cross of Jesus. And the fruit of the Spirit of God which dwells in us through the cross of Jesus, according to the Word of God, is:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well.” Galatians 5:22-25
So, we humans have only two ways to live. First, we can choose to take up the cross of the world and live as our heart desires, satisfy the cravings of our flesh, and fulfill our lustful thoughts. Or, secondly, we humans can decide to take up the cross of Jesus and deny ourselves as we follow in His footsteps. But we need to know that whether the choice is the cross of the world or the cross of Christ there is a price to pay. However, which is of greater value?
The way of the cross of Christ: Joseph de Veuster (Father Damien) (1840-1889)
Joseph de Veuster, better known as Father Damien was a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium and member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Saint Damien served the lepers of the Hawaiian Islands for 16 years, giving up his life and his health in order to bring comfort to the most hated and feared people in society. Saint Damien lived the gospel of life. He saw Jesus in every person he met, even when they were horribly disfigured by the disease of leprosy. And the lepers didn’t just suffer physically. Totally shut off from the world, they awaited their fate, and most saw no point in their suffering. Knowing they came to Molokai to die, the lepers often gave into lewd and sinful behavior. Damien challenged them to be better. Damien’s primary role was to lead the lepers closer to Christ, and that required giving them hope. By the time Damien died, the majority of the island was Catholic.
Saint Damien was outspoken. When he couldn’t get proper medical supplies for his lepers, he wrote scathing letters to the Board of Health in Honolulu to get them to see the humanity of the lepers. His outspokenness and persistence helped conditions on the island improve. With his skill as a carpenter, Saint Damien and the inhabitants built suitable homes, a chapel, rectory, school, and hospital. After over a decade of service on Molokai, Saint Damien himself contracted leprosy and died after serving 25 years as a missionary to the Hawaiian Islands.
The story of Saint Damien is a great reminder that we should always treat others with respect and dignity as members of the human family no matter their outward appearance, age, or ability. Damien passed up many opportunities to leave Molokai, ever zealous to win souls for Christ. He wrote to his brother, “People pity me and think me unfortunate, but I think of myself as the happiest of missionaries.” Damien’s sacrifice was inspired by the words of the LORD:
“Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
The way of the cross of the world: Pedro Lopez (born October 8, 1948) One of the world’s most notorious serial killers might still be out there. Pedro Alonso Lopez is a Colombian serial killer, child molester and necrophile. Pedro Lopez is linked to more than 300 murders in his native Colombia, and also in Ecuador and Peru. At least one-third of those murders were tribal females. After Lopez’s arrest in 1980, police found the graves of more than 50 of his preteen victims. In January 1981, he was convicted of three murders, and had confessed to three hundred sexual assaults and stranglings. He was later convicted of murdering 110 girls in Ecuador and confessed to 240 more murders in Colombia and Peru. The “Monster of the Andes” didn’t even spend 20 years in prison, as he was released in 1998 for good behavior. More than 20 years since, his whereabouts remain unknown. The 2006 edition of the Guinness World Records credited Lopez as being the "most prolific serial killer”. The listing was removed after complaints that it made a competition out of murder.
Yes, as long as we are alive, we have time to choose which cross to take, the cross of Jesus or the cross of the world. We will pay the price for any choice we make, but the choice is ours.
“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then He will also say to those on His left, depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:31-41
Nader your little brother in CHRIST
GOD BLESS YOU. AMEN
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