[imardmd1]

Do you have "The Old Rugged Cross" in your song book? I find it very difficult to sing the words in its chorus:

"I will cling to the old rugged cross, ..."

So when it is sung, I replace the words with:

"I will cling to the Christ of the Cross, ..."

But then I don't know what to do with the phrase:

"And exchange it some day for a crown."

Can somebody help me with this attempt to promote idolizing the torture instrument of His agony?

[CityCenter]

That line isn’t referring to a crown of thorns. It’s referring to the verses in Revelation.

[Alex Murphy]

Can somebody help me with this attempt to promote idolizing the torture instrument of His agony?

Dare I ask if you have a stake in that argument?

[boatbums]

Can somebody help me with this attempt to promote idolizing the torture instrument of His agony?

Perhaps it is the place the Apostles have given to the cross that inspires these hymns. Verses such as:

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)

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (I Cor. 1:17)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (I Cor. 1:18)

And Jesus' own words about the cross that WE carry when we follow him:

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

[Elsie]

...and take up their cross...

It's hard to 'take it up' without clinging to it!

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"I will cling to the old rugged cross, ..."