My dear brethren, I want to study this important subject about where our hope is centered. Think about the cross—what has the cross done for you personally? Is there any saving power in the cross? Is there anything that we can boast about? The Apostle Paul says, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14

“Christ’s death proves God’s great love for man. It is our pledge of salvation. To remove the cross from the Christian would be like blotting the sun from the sky. The cross brings us near to God, reconciling us to Him.” –The Acts of the Apostles p.209

Paul continues to say, “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 after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews requires a sign, and the Greeks seek after the wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness.” 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21–23

People are asking, “Show us the signs which show that Christ is coming. Perform a miracle for us and thus we shall believe that His coming is near.” We preach the gospel which is foolishness to worldly people and a stumbling block to nominal Seventh-day Adventist people, but to those who are called and accept the call, whether they are Jews or Greeks, Christ is their power.

STRIVE TO ENTER THE STRAIT GATE

“Enter ye in the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13–14

“At the Dividing of the Way—The cross stands where two roads diverge. One is the path of obedience leading to heaven. The other leads into the broad road, where man can easily go with his burden of sin and corruption, but it leads to perdition.” –Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1095

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jeremiah 6:16

We are being called to come to the cross with our sinful natures and we are being given the freedom to choose. Sadly, many are not willing to choose the path of obedience. Why is this? Because they are worldly-minded. They do not want to renounce the world and walk in the pathway of obedience.

Do you think life after the cross is the same as life before the cross? Or After Noah had entered the ark, do you think life in the ark was the same as outside? Solomon says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

We are warned. “In the road to death the whole race may go, with all their worldliness, all their selfishness, all their pride, dishonesty, and moral debasement. There is room for every man’s opinions and doctrines, space to follow his inclinations, to do whatever his self-love may dictate. In order to go in the path that leads to destruction, there is no need of searching for the way; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad, and the feet naturally turn into the path that ends in death.” –Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p.138

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke 13:24. Why?

Many people claim to be Christians but do not make efforts to live according to their profession. They are attracted to Christ. Continuing from the above statement, we read, “But many are attracted to the beauty of Christ and the glory of heaven, who yet shrink from the conditions by which alone these can become their own. There are many in the broad way who are not fully satisfied with the path in which they walk. They long to break from the slavery of sin, and in their own strength they seek to make a stand against their sinful practices. They look toward the narrow way and the strait gate; but selfish pleasure, love of the world, pride, unsanctified ambition, place a barrier between them and the Saviour. . . . Many ‘will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.’ Luke 13:24. [Why?] They desire the good, they make some effort to obtain it; but they do not choose it; they have not a settled purpose to secure it at the cost of all things.” –Ibid., p.143

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION

Paul warned, “Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12–13

Make some efforts to attain salvation as did Jacob. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on righteousness, my fellow believers. “But while he was pleading with God, an enemy, as he supposed, placed his hand upon him, and all night he wrestled for his life. . . . When his strength was almost nearly spent, the Angel put forth His divine power, and at His touch Jacob knew Him with whom he had been contending. Wounded and helpless, he fell upon the Saviour’s breast, pleading for a blessing. He would not be turned aside or cease his intercession and Christ granted the petition of this helpless, penitent soul according to His promise. ‘Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.’ Isaiah 27:5. Jacob pleaded with determined spirit, ‘I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.’ Genesis 32:26.” –Ibid., p.144

This is how we should strive for the blessing. We are to look at the cross where we will find refuge for our weary souls. Jesus is ever ready and willing to bestow upon us the blessing, but He wants us to work for it. We are not saved without making any effort on our part.

May God bless you all while we look to Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith. Grace be unto you all. Amen.

Watch for part two in the next issue: Which way are you choosing?

Jenifer Akello Uganda