— To uplift, inform and challenge —

Dear Soldier,

Have you ever been “arrested” by the Spirit?  Whether or not a believer is hotly pursuing after God or yielding to Christ’s transforming work, he can be hauled over by the Spirit’s flashing lights and screaming siren. Though at times painful, it’s also profitable because a major ministry of the Spirit is to illuminate God’s truth to each of us; to teach us.

Such an encounter recently occurred while reading First Corinthians where Paul succinctly penned his mission statement: “we preach Christ crucified.”  Like a proverbial lightning bolt, his words blindingly flash the most basic calling of every believer; a prime Church responsibility.  We pray this, which draws on a 19th century piece¹, will uplift, sharpen your focus and motivate you to good works of faith.

Christ Crucified

A sharp reminder of a primary Christian calling.

"The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." — 1Cor 1:22-24

The apostle Paul was an extraordinary man called to an extraordinary office, to perform an extraordinary work and was given an extraordinary message.  He knew history, was acquainted with philosophy and well versed in religious tradition.  In fact, there were few subjects he could not handle, few themes he could not discuss and few groups he could not engage.  BUT the conversion of sinners became the purpose of his life and Christ crucified ... the focus of his ministry.  Wherever he went and/or whomever he addressed, though knowing of the things carnal man desired, he didn’t pander or deviate.  He always directed listeners and readers to their greatest need: Jesus Christ.

“Crossing” Others

After years of itinerant ministry it’s easier to have a pilgrim mindset; an acute sense this present earth isn’t our home, but a wilderness that followers of Jesus are called to traverse.  Upon stepping outside our ministry RV, we were more aware that we were setting foot in the mission field and appropriately alert to its opportunities.  Although home and office are no longer on wheels, we still carry tracts and retain the awareness that we are always on the mission field and out to harvest lost souls.

For example, last evening we were racing mosquitoes home from a lakeside walk when greeted by an approaching neighbor who wanted to visit there in the street (where the winged blood-suckers caught up to a second-hand veggie meal).  Though knowing Bob just casually, we recognized his ready smile and friendly good nature (he didn’t know we were Christians, ... though he surely does now).

Quick’ern a lizard’s tongue, he was lauding the President while spewing profanity-laced, political/anti-semitic sound bites (prompting Diane to bite her lip and look away).  Predictably, my comeback about the Whitehouse now having a Crescent rather then Oval office and something about corned beef sandwiches on rye with kosher pickles, propelled Bob into saliva-splattering overdrive. Uh-oh! So, I ventured: “Hey, let’s change the subject, politics is controversial stuff ... what are you doing with Jesus?” (Subtle, huh?)  Well, that REALLY got things going as he ticked off minister after movement staining the name of Christ.  But ... judging by his parting: “Hey, I really like you folks!”, it had opened a door for future dialog (we also sensed his spiritual hunger).  This is typical of the opportunities most have to confront the lost with the cross of Christ; the answer to all life’s questions and every need.

Christ Crucified!

This is the most crucial, critical and comprehensive subject because it is the intersection of God and man, holiness and sin, life and death, time and eternity.  It’s the theater where God portrays His power, perfection and purposes; the canvass upon which He paints His mercy, confounds His foes and displays His glory.  The cross satisfies sin’s penalty, reconciles rebels, destroys death and gives eternal life in Him.  It’s the tablet upon which God’s love-letter to mankind is blood-penned with the sinless life of Christ.  The Cross contradicts reason, astonishes angels, attracts sinners, imparts holiness, furnishes fuel for perennial praise and is mankind’s only hope.

Christ crucified is the most honored subject.  It fills the sweetest songs on earth and tunes the harps of heaven.  It’s by which the Spirit works in the conversion of sinners, consolation of saints, the sanctification of believers and in establishment of the church of God.  By the preaching of Christ crucified, heathen oracles were silenced, the altars of same cast down and their temples transformed into houses of prayer.  By preaching of the cross, society is elevated, God and nations honored and untold millions are snatched from Hell.  Oh, embrace the Cross!

Christ crucified is also intensely hated.  Devils hate it for it marks their fate and seals their doom. Elites hate it because it reveals their limited wisdom.  Politicos and media hate it, so work to prevent its publication.  It’s hated by every sinner because Christ’s light exposes the desperate depravity of their dark and lost souls.  In the same proportion that men are bound by the prince of darkness or yield to the pride of their own fallen natures, they hate the cross of Christ.  Sin and holiness are wholly at odds.

Christ crucified is also much beloved. Ministers soak in it and true followers bask in its glory.  When it’s discovered, endless praise is given by the poor and perishing.  Abiders in Him who, for His name’s sake, are persecuted, reviled, oppressed, cast out, scorned, tortured and put to death ... cling to its uplifting and life-saving power.  Saints in repose reverently bow in adoration ... giving praise, honor and glory to the Lamb once slain for their eternal salvation.  Hal-le-lu-jah!

The more we know of God's nature and providence, the more we can see man's sorry condition.  The more we acknowledge our own weakness and depravity, the more shall we prize and value the doctrine of the cross. Christ and Him crucified should be the theme of our songs, joy of our hearts and foundation of everlasting hope (O my soul! look to Jesus as crucified for your sins; truthfully see Him as having died in your stead.  Speak of Him as full of grace and love).  For indeed ... He loves us unto His agonizing death on the cross.

I ask: what do we “preach” with our LIVES?  Is it Christ crucified?  Do we advertise this most basic believer doctrine in our living, or with tongue only? do we even, with our mouths?  Do we demonstrate Christ in our thinking and actions ... or pens only?  Do we even write of Him crucified?  Do we honor His blood sacrifice in our service, in our lives and love to all?  Is abiding in and trumpeting Jesus’ merciful provision, the centerpiece, grand aim and end purpose of our life?  Why would one want to so live?  Love of God!  To please Him.  Saint! Christ crucified needs be preached by every believer, every day and at EVERY opportunity.  God help us!

Beloved, if we would save souls from death, if we would rescue sinners from eternal misery, if we would make believers happy, if we would cover Satan with shame, if we would deprive death of its sting, and if we would make the road to glory plain ... we MUST preach Christ crucified. We must exercise faith in the cross of Christ and daily live accordingly.  May the cross of Christ be our joy and only hope.  Moreover, like Paul, the declaration of Christ crucified, our life’s mission.  Praise God!

Oh, dear saint; let us encourage one another.  Though talk is easy, life’s headwinds can make living out the noblest of aspirations most difficult.  Were it not for the Holy Spirit’s enabling, we would all be miserable failures at every point.  God’s call to holy living and evangelism is superhuman and cannot be met in our own strength.  Only by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, can we even begin to attain to the high calling in Christ.  Even the great apostle Paul struggled, but he pressed on "... Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:12,13).

Jesus crucified! Let’s look to Him in all of life’s trials; in death with its pangs.  To Him let’s look in glory to be filled with all its joys.  Let’s, by the power of God, boldly commit to Paul’s declaration:  “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" (Ga 6:14). Let’s become clarions of Christ crucified!

1. James Smith, "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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