THE CROSS OF JESUS

Last week I mentioned a book I read, "Hitler's Cross" by Erwin Lutzer (Moody Press). I would recommend this book because of the insight it gives into Hitler's character and how he was motivated by Satan through cultist practices, false religious systems and worldly philosophies. That part of the book itself is an eye opener and a valuable lesson in worldviews and what we allow to influence our lives in this present evil world such as the pursuits of this world, eastern religious beliefs, the lie of evolution and false worldviews. It is obvious that under the emblem of Hitler's broken cross, the Swastika (the origin of this cross is revealing but you will have to read the book), Satan was seeking to destroy the plan of God for His people the Jews and to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ.

Cover of original edition 1995

But the main goal of this book is to warn Christians of how conditions during the time of Hitler which led to his dictatorship over Germany are similar to today's political climate (especially in the United States). The warning is especially pointed to Christians today who confuse the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. That confusion led the majority of the German church to embrace Hitler and to stand aside as he attempted to destroy Christianity in Germany and kill all the Jews, the people of God. We are in danger of falling into the same trap.

Cover of new edition 2001. I wonder if this cover was designed to be "less offensive" than the original cover?

 As North American Christians we are willing to embrace prosperity, security, private religious meetings, and comfortable lifestyle, in exchange for a boldless, quiet, tolerant, non-challenging, inclusive, declawed, romantic, words-only, private, non-intrusive, don't get involved Christianity which is denuded of the cross of Jesus Christ.  We are willing to allow government to prevent individuals from expressing their Christianity in the workplace as long as we can have prosperity, security, private religious meetings, and maintain our comfortable lifestyle.** No sacrifice for me, no persecution for me, no boldness for Christ for me, no public testimony of Christ for me, no cross Christianity for me. So we will allow more secular government interference into our churches and homes to produce a Christless, all inclusive Christianity stripped of the cross and the fundamental message of Jesus as the only Savior for mankind, which is no longer biblical Christianity.  The cross of Christ is not self-serving and not interested in self-preservation but lifts up Jesus and speaks life into a relativistic and disintegrating sinful culture. We are to daily take up the cross of Christ and bear its shame and persecution in this present evil world.

As Christians we need clarity regarding the kingdom of God and the commands of our King and how to act on those commands in daily life. We are Christians and need to act like Christians in attitude and action in public. We need clarity regarding the kingdom of this world and its limits and its God ordained sphere of influence, and how we as children of the King should respond to government when it tries to silence our testimony of Christ in exchange for the promise of security, prosperity and a comfortable lifestyle free of persecution.

Jesus must be King of our own hearts first in humility and purity and love and then boldly and openly as we live for him in this evil world. I leave you with a quote from "Hitler's Cross". "John Q. Citizen will never be convinced of the credibility of the Christian faith until he becomes personally acquainted with someone who lives out the Christian life, applying its values to every situation. The message of the cross will not be received unless it is wrapped in the life of an authentic believer."

Hitler came to power in a Christian nation of Christians that did not understand their place in the Kingdom of God, who favored nationalism and self-preservation over their calling in Christ to uphold justice for every human being (including the unborn) and their testimony of Jesus Christ as Lord and Ruler. They failed to embrace the cross of Jesus Christ. Let us learn from their unfaithfulness.

 **Here is part of an interview in the National Post on the legalizing of Euthanasia in Quebec (‘We’re not expecting hordes of patients’: Quebec health minister on historic bill to legalize euthanasia, December 2nd, 2015).
Q: Is there something about Quebec’s culture or values that explain why?
A: The very reason is because of that. Many people outside Quebec do not realize how different the relationship between religion and people’s daily lives is here. Religion in Quebec is much less present. It doesn’t mean that the values are different, just that regarding this issue, we are not on the same page.
Q: So churches that oppose euthanasia do not have as much influence in Quebec as they might have outside Quebec?
A: Exactly. They do not have a lot of influence. What was surprising to me in the past, before I got into politics, was to go to a doctors’ meeting in Canada and hear from Canadian doctors how opposed they were (to euthanasia.) I’ve always felt that it was not in sync with reality. I’ve always felt that the general population outside Quebec was ready to address that, especially in Ontario, but doctors, especially in Ontario, were not ready to even open the debate. Clearly, I think today we can talk about the wind blowing from east to west.