THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God. - I Cor. 1:18

As a partaker of God’s inheritance, we must also be willing to share in the suffering of Christ. The suffering of Christ is not meant to make our lives most miserable but rather meant to refine us to be as gold; a precious gold of inestimable worth. And because Christ is risen, we have no cause to be reproached or made a laughingstock by unbelievers. Bear in mind that when you suffer for Christ, you are stirring God to reserve a place of honour for you in heaven, to reign with Him.

The old rugged cross is a  picture of the suffering of Christ for humanity. Jesus took the fall and like a rose, He was trampled on the ground. The old rugged Christ is so despised by the world but has a wondrous impact in turning our minuses to plus. The old rugged cross is a place of divine exchange at which you can lay down your weight of sin and take up the belt of truth for your waist.

You cannot detach your Christian life from the old rugged Christ. It is the Cross that paves way for your transition from death to abundant life in Christ. All you need to do is to cling to the Cross and you will certainly exchange it someday for a crown. May your heart to strengthened to bear your cross without complains and murmuring so you could exchange it for a crown when the saints of God shall all appear before the judgment seat of Christ in Jesus name.