Transcript: “The Irony and Impact of the Cross”, April 2025

“The Irony And Impact Of The Cross”

(Rex Herndon, April 2025)

“God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Galatians 6:14

Introduction: 

Only by the immeasurable Grace and transforming Power of God, was it possible for the words, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord,Jesus Christ” to come from the lips of the Apostle Paul. 

It will be remembered, it was he, who before his arrest by a heavenly constabulary on the Damascus Road, was an avowed, hate-filled adversary of Jesus Christ. It was he, who raged against the message of the Cross and by malicious acts of hate and violence sought to silence early believers and destroy the Church. 

If one were searching for an example that validates the words, “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away and behold all things are become new,” (2 Corinthians 5:17), they should look on further than the life of Saul of Tarsus, who was, “The chief of sinners,” but now, by the Grace of God, is the Apostle Paul, “A servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.”

(Romans 1:1)

In the spiritually perceptive hymn, sung by the Body of Christ for nearly two hundred years, the writer says, “I will glory in the Cross of Jesus! It was there He gave His life for me; I have victory over sin, and a crown of life I’ll win, by the all-triumphant Cross of Jesus.” (Rufus H. McDaniel: pub. domain:1800’s)

The irony of Calvary is seen in the terms expressed by Paul in his testimony. He said,”God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross.” There is a vast dichotomy in the terms, ‘Cross’ and ‘Glory’. They are on opposite ends of the relationship spectrum and cannot be reasonably associated with each other. 

The ‘cross’ represents that which is accursed, shameful, and despised. While the term ‘glory,’ is an expression of majesty, praise and honor. 

It is unimaginable that two crudely hewn pieces of wood upon which Christ was pinioned and was intended by His enemies to bring an agonizing death under the shadow of shame, disgrace, and dishonor, could become the most sacred, highly honored symbol known to man. 

It was a matter of; The accursed becoming the acclaimed!  Such a remarkable change in value and the esteem of man is proof certain; anything or anyone touched by Jesus Christ is lifted from the depth of condemnation to the higher plane of edification.

To the utter dismay of His enemies, Jesus Christ, Whom they ridiculed and condemned, by hanging on the despised instrument of a slave’s death, became the acclaimed conqueror, stepping from the tomb, as victor over death, hell and the grave. The Cross that was intended to bring shame and despair, became that to which mankind would look for comfort and hope. 

The transformation of the cross from the scorned to the sacred, affirms, how God, “Hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”

(1 Corinthians 1: 27)

For generations, Christians, in defiance of the dark history of crucifixion, have honored and glorified the Cross by singing, “So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down: I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown.” 

(The Old Rugged Cross: George Bennard: pub. domain)00

The Pulpit Commentary describes the Cross as an “Obnoxious object..sneered by the Gentile and abhorred by the Jew.” But was in contrast, viewed by the Apostle Paul as being, Resplendent with the multiplicity of truths radiating from it to his soul. It is the Cross itself which rivets his admiring view.”

The impact of the Cross is clearly seen in the remarkable transformation that took place in the life of an angry Saul of Tarsus,

as he made his way on a nefarious journey toward the village of Damascus, hoping to imprison and have put to death any followers of Christ he may encounter. 

As his entourage neared Damascus, he was suddenly overwhelmed by the brilliance of a light from heaven. Falling to the ground, he was confronted with the Christ whose message and influence he had with angry determination sought to destroy. 

The hours following this remarkable roadside encounter can only be described as, climactic! The ‘multiplicity of truths’ radiating from the despised Cross to the soul of this esteemed Jew, was so powerful and captivating, he would surrender to the Will of God and devote the rest of his life propagating and defending them. 

While those traveling with him looked on, God’s Grace and His Power to save the worst among men was made evident. In a matter of moments, Saul of Tarsus became a, “New Creation; old things passed away and behold all things are become new.” The miracle that takes place at salvation is beyond explanation. It boggles the mind! 

Reflecting on the striking change that transpired in the life of the Apostle Paul, we should never underestimate the effectiveness of the cleansing of the Blood of Christ or the Power of God to lift the sinner  “From darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

The multitudes, who have been set free from the bondage of sin, are testament to the truth, the stain of sin, no matter how dark and deep, is never beyond God’s Grace and Redeeming Power. Jesus said, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)

My fellow Assemblies of God Minister, Ira Stamphill, recognizing, the water from the well of salvation is available to ALL who come, no matter their identity or the depth of sin in which they are living, wrote: “There’s room at the Cross for you. Though millions have come, there’s still room for one. There’s room at the Cross for you,”(Room At The Cross: copyright ASCAP: admin.by Brentwood Music)

The Bible says, “”Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

It was the Cross, “Resplendent with a multiplicity of truths” that set Saul of Tarsus free and gave the Body of Christ a servant whose influence was only exceeded by Jesus Christ.

I invite you to join me in thinking about the ‘truth’ that radiated to a lost world from the Cross of Jesus Christ.

(1) First, there is the truth of God’s Unconditional Love, as was demonstrated by The Death Of Christ on the Cross. 

In John’s Gospel we read, “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

It is important to note, as one writer said, “God did not send Christ as a reward for the obedient, but rather, as a ransom for the defiant.” (Bible Study Tools: author unknown)

The dimensions of God’s Love graciously extended to sinful man exceeds human understanding. It was with a sense of amazement the writer of the old gospel songwrote, “That God should love a sinner such as I, Should yearn to turn my sorrow into bliss, nor rest till He had planned to bring me nigh, How wonderful is Love like this!” (Such Love:C. Bishop: pub. domain)

In the Old Testament Book of Jeremiah, we find an example of God’s unconditional Love for the disobedient and defiant. Speaking to a rebellious Israel, He says , “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

Writing to the Church in Rome, Paul, glories in God’s unconditional love saying, “But God commendeth (demonstrated) His Love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus Road affirms the words of the late, Corrie Ten Boom. “There is no pit so deep, that God’s Love is deeper still.”

In my mind, I hear the voice of the great, George Beverly Shea singing: “Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade; to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry; nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.” (The Love of God: Fredrick Lehman: pub. domain)

A number of times, through several decades of Pastoral Ministry, I have encountered those who feel, because they have lived a life of abject sin, God could never love them, nor would He be willing to save them. They have resigned themselves to being  “a child of hell,” without any hope of redemption. 

Such thoughts are born in hell itself, and are the deceptive tactics of the enemy to keep those in sin from seeking a Savior! The truth is, there is none so broken that God’s Power cannot make them whole; none so deep in the pit of hopelessness that they cannot be lifted up, and none so lost, that they cannot be saved!

To any who may be feeling unworthy and hopelessly condemned, I ask you to hear the Word of God. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans said, “For there is no respect of persons with God.” (Romans 2:11) Every man has equal standing with God and the ground is level at Calvary. 

Jesus said, “For the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) The whole purpose of Christ’s coming to earth and His death on the Cross was to save those mired in the pit of sin. 

I love the words of the gospel song: “Once my soul was astray from the heavenly way, I was wretched and vile as could be; But my Savior in love gave me peace from above, when He reached down His Hand for me.”(When My Savior Reached Down For Me: G.E. Wright: pub. domain)

Hear me today! “God is not willing that any should perish but that ALL should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

(2) Secondly, From the Cross comes the truth: The Blood That Stained The Cross Cleanses the Unrighteous!

In the New Testament Book of Hebrews, the writer makes a transitional statement with reference to the sacrifice for sin. He tells us. “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own Blood, He entered in once into the holy place having obtained redemption for us.” ((Hebrews 9:12)

For centuries, on Yom Kippur, the Most Holy Day of Atonement, devout Jews brought animals such as sheep and goats to the Temple to be sacrificed. Their blood was carried by the High Priest into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on the Mercy Seat for the remission of sins. 

But in the Providence of God and according to His Plan, established before the foundations of the world were laid, God dispatched His Only Begotten Son from the portals of Glory to shed His Blood, once and for all, for the sin of man. He became the propitiation, or the only means by which man can be reconciled to God. 

It is most important to note: It was not with the blood of a sacrificial animal, but, “By His OWN BLOOD He entered into the holy place.” Unlike the animal sacrifices offered by the High Priest, the Blood of Jesus was not for the sin of a single individual, but for all mankind. It was not effective for only one year, but for all time. It was given that, “None should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 

(2 Peter 3:9)

In a message focusing on the work of Christ on the Cross, it must be clearly and unequivocally stated: Only the Blood of Jesus has the redemptive power to acquit man from sin and reconcile him to God!

Water Baptism, church membership, living a moral life, or acts of benevolence are wonderful but, they cannot save. 

Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.” 

(Ephesians 2:8-9)

In John’s gospel, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

The concept of Salvation, absent the Cross and Blood of Jesus Christ, is characterized by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book, “The Cost of Discipleship” as “cheap grace,”

which he describes as “The preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance…Communion without confession…cheap grace is grace without the Cross…grace without Jesus Christ living and incarnate.”

Embracing the deceptive concept of ‘Cheap grace,’ is a tragic mistake. It’s without Scriptural foundation; and therefore, must be rejected! 

For a century and a half, the Church has sung of the exclusivity of the Blood as the cleansing and redeeming agent for sin. 

“What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus! What can make me whole again? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!”

“Nothing can for sin atone: 

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus. Not of good that I have done: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus,”(Nothing But The Blood: Robert Lowery: pub. domain).

(3) Finally, from the Cross comes The Call to a life of self-denial and sacrifice.

It is the call to not only receive Jesus Christ as ‘Savior,’ but to make Him ‘Lord’ and ‘Master’ of our life. To make discipleship our highest priority.

Speaking to His disciples, Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Recognizing the call of the Cross to surrender to Jesus Christ and place personal plans and aspirations aside, Paul tells us in our text, “But 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)

His testimony to the Philippians was, “What things were gain to me, those things I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.”(Philippians 3:7-8)

Submission to the Will of God is a matter with which we often struggle. The tendency to chart our own course and be the architect of our own future is very strong.  Many accept Jesus Christ as Savior, but are reluctant to make Him “Lord and Master” of their life.

Missionary Jim Elliot, who was savagely murdered in the jungles of Ecuador wrote in his journal prior to his death, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

The death of Christ on Calvary’s Cross was an act of submission to the higher Will of God. We know that, because prior to His suffering and death, we hear Him agonizing in prayer in the Garden saying,  “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.” (Luke 22:42)

It was submission to the Higher Will of God that, motivated Abraham, to leave his own country and by faith “Go out not knowing whither he went.” 

(Hebrews 11:8)

It was submission to the Higher Will of God that caused Moses to accept the daunting task of leading the Children of Israel from Egyptian bondage. 

It was submission to the Higher Will of God that called Peter from his fishing boat and Paul from his respected position among religious Jews. 

It has been submission to the Higher Will of God that has placed Missionaries on foreign fields around the world, filled pulpits in Churches, and brought scores of Christian workers into the cause of Christ.

Let us be reminded, The Cross of Jesus Christ continues to call each of us to make our personal aspirations and plans in life secondary to the Will of God.

May we come to the altar of dedication and renew our determination to take up the cross and follow Jesus Christ. Let us join the hymn writer of yesterday in singing, “I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord; O’er mountain or plain or sea; I’ll say, what you want me to say, dear Lord; I’ll be what you want me to be.”

I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go: Mary Brown:1891: pub. domain).

May we allow the Cross, despised by the world, to radiate wonderful, life transforming truths to our soul, and like Paul, let us glory in the Cross.

I conclude my remarks by recounting a wonderful legend about a blind man who lingered near the Cross as Jesus suffered and died.

Hearing the sounds of agony and death filtering through the air, he crawled toward them until he was able to wrap his hands around the foot of the Cross. 

Lifting his head, his blinded eyes were turned upward and the Blood of Jesus, falling from

His wounded hands and feet, dripped on to his face and ran into his blinded eyes. 

As the Blood flowed into his eyes he suddenly received his sight. Leaping to his feet, with hands lifted heavenward, he began to sing:

“At the Cross, at the Cross where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!”(Words:Isaac Watts: 1707)

The story is just a legend, but the truth of the old gospel song is the testimony of all who have come to the Old Rugged Cross. We may joyously sing, “It was there by faith, I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!”

May we pause today, and say with Paul, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”