Power Archives - Examining the World Mission Society Church of God An in depth look at the World Mission Society Church of God Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:08:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.examiningthewmscog.com/ex-content/uploads/2020/03/cropped-Examining-updated-favicon-32x32.png Power Archives - Examining the World Mission Society Church of God 32 32 Keeping the Cross in Sight https://www.examiningthewmscog.com/forums/topic/keeping-the-cross-in-sight/ Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:08:08 +0000 https://www.examiningthewmscog.com/forums/topic/keeping-the-cross-in-sight/ The WMSCOG accuses other churches of “Idol Worship” in regards to the Cross. They seem to think that even displaying it in church is evil.

Doesn’t the Ten Commandments teach us not to bear false witness?

None of the Christian churches I have been to have ever taught us to worship the Cross. The Cross is used as a symbol to remind us of the great sacrifice that was made for us by Christ Jesus. This is commanded in the Bible.

The Bible says not to make any symbol to a false god and worship it. Make no brazen images. The Cross is a symbol for the REAL GOD and even so we do not worship it.  Now that is not to say that some people don’t cross the line on this. If someone is worshipping the Cross they need to be corrected and if we see this worship happening and we don’t help correct it then I believe we are guilty as well.  Having a Cross around also serves as a reminder that we are to love the one true God. It’s like a husband asking his wife not to love any other man. She carries a picture of her husband around with her as a reminder that he loves her. If she chose not to carry the picture she might be more easily swayed. Worse would be if she carried a picture of another man. (Jesus vs. Ahnsahnghong) This would be absolutely wrong on all counts.

Gods ways are mysterious. He uses things that we would view as vile and/or worthless to reveal his glory. He uses the stone that was disguarded by men as the Chief Corner Stone. He uses something viewed as a detestable instrument of death to reveal his glory.

Lets look at what the Bible really says about the Cross.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 Paul states that word of the Cross is the Power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:23 describes the Cross as the Wisdom of God.

Colossians 2:15 describes the Cross as the Glory of God.

 

The Cross is described as Gods Wisdom, Power, and Glory. This object is viewed by man as a detestable instrument of death that was used to kill Jesus. Only man would have such a limited view as this. Gods ways are what we are striving for. The Cross was made a symbol of Gods power by God not by man.

Many people will bring up the message of the symbol of the bronze snake. God instructed the creation of the bronze snake as a symbol to lead people to him. Men twisted it around and many started worshipping the snake instead of what it represented. In Christian churches we are taught this lesson to not worship symbols but only worship the one true God. To make the statement that other churches are “Idol worshippers” is a gross defamation of character. You shall not bear false witness.

God ordered the making of many symbols in the Bible but I think that I will save this for another post. What God has sanctified we should NEVER try to remove. His ways are not our ways. Keep the reminder of God well within view at all times. It’s a reminder of the love he has for us and a testament to the fact that we belong to him. By the way, it’s a very real possibility that the seal of God is represented by the cross. The word does reveal this if you are truly seeking.  

]]>