SYMBOL-CROSS-SALVATION

SYMBOL-CROSS-SALVATION Do you know What a SYMBOL is The word symbol is defined: “As an object That represents Stands for Or SUGGESTS an idea-a visual image- Belief-action-or material entity” For example The symbol of our religion For Christians Is the cross The instrument Of Jesus' humiliation-torture And death That was ultimately TRANSFORMED Into glory By Jesus and God THROUGH HIS RESURRECTION Unfortunately today For much of our culture The cross Has been REPLACED By other symbols Symbols of our sexuality Symbols of lust On every television commercial And computer And in our country Symbols Such as rich houses And rich cars That CONVEYS the mood That if we purchase them We will be totally happy Symbols Such as doctors and hospitals That conveys the thought That health and happiness Are determined NOT by God But by medical science Symbols and ideas That convey HAPPINESS can be found In a bottle In a syringe Or on a screen LOOKING for and finding salvation THE TRUTH IS All these things Do not bring salvation The cross alone- OUR IDENTIFICATION with God-alone CAN bring salvation Dear Lord PLEASE HELP us to understand That these other images Do NOT bring about happiness ONLY by accepting the cross The symbol of ACCEPTING the crucifixion of Jesus Can bring about our SALVATION The cross is The means by which Jesus died But it is also used As a metaphor For self-sacrifice ONLY by sacrificing our lust Only by sacrificing our greed Only by sacrificing Our addictions And PUTTING GOD AND FAMILY FIRST In our lives Can we find the way TO SALVATION “IF ANYONE Would come after me He must deny himself And take up his cross And FOLLOW me For whoever Wants to save his life Will lose it But whoever loses his life For me And the gospel WILL save it What good is it for a man To gain the whole world Yet forfeit his soul Or what can a man GIVE In exchange for his soul” Matthew 8:34-37 PUTTING GOD AND FAMILY FIRST Is the WAY to salvation Salvation is DELIVERANCE From danger or evil And ONLY God and family Can deliver us from them LIVING in the spirit Or living in the flesh The choice is yours and mine ONLY GOD Can deliver you-and me Robert P. Wallman July 28th, 2014 Ps On sites and sent out 9-15-14 3-20-16