THE WORK OF THE CROSS

Paul the apostle states in I Corinthians 1:17, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it please God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God."

There have been a lot of comments in the paper about the removal of the cross on North Kingshighway, and not all of them very charitable. I realize that many take offense at what is being attempted, but all must realize who is ultimately responsible for all the moral decay we see in the world today. There is a spiritual battle being waged for the souls of men, and many times it appears that God is not in charge.

We as Christians were told by the Lord to go and preach the gospel, or the good news, and not to preach against anything. That is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to convict. We are given a chance here on Earth to accept the preaching of the cross, or we will perish. It really doesn't matter how people preach against the cross, or Jesus here on Earth, but sooner or later they will bow on knee to him as the word says: "Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, though it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in Earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, tot he glory of God the father."

So, it really doesn't matter whether someone is an atheist or whatever and what their personal opinion is, as sooner of later they will acknowledge Jesus and the work on the cross. If it is here, they will spend an eternity with Jesus. If it is after they die, they will still acknowledge Jesus and the work on the cross, but they will still spend an eternity, but removed from him.

If everyone would become a real Christian and allow a full reign of the Holy Spirit in their lives, there would not be any bad movies, adult bookstores, bars or liquor stores, no cigarette sales, no divorces, no battered wives, etc., etc., etc.

Like it or not, even the calendar points to Christ. At this time of the year, let us especially remember Christ and the work on the cross, and his resurrection from the dead. Preach this gospel to the ends of the Earth, and then the end shall come.

I know that I am going to Heaven, and so can others as Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life." In I John it says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the son of God."

Even if the cross is taken down, prayer is taken out of schools, the Ten Commandments are taken down off the walls and ground off the granite of our government buildings, it does not change the truth of the gospel as it will stand.

Ralph Flori is a semiretired Cape Girardeau businessman.