I noticed there is nothing in there that says a christian MUST cling to the cross as if it were some kind of totem. So if a person calling himself a christian chooses to NOT cling to the cross, that by itself means nothing.
Correct? Explain where I am wrong.
Now, if that person calling himself a christian that chooses not to accept the cross as the symbol of his christianity then believes the other christians that do use the cross for a symbol are somehow inferior or mistaken...that I would have a problem with. Because it is only a symbol. By itself it means nothing.
But the explanation of the electric chair example makes some sense to me and I would not criticize anyone that chooses not to use the cross for a symbol.
It’s just a symbol.
Just what the DEATH of jesus means to a christian is a far more important matter than the manner of his death. Do you agree? What if jesus had been decapitated instead of crucified? Would christianity then not exist? Of course not. THe manner of execution means nothing. And I would argue to you that the physical suffering endured while on the cross is meaningless as well. THere were lots of people in that day and age that were crucified. Are we to respect them all for THEIR suffering? Does their suffering elevate them in the eyes of jesus as compared to the rest of us that pass away in our sleep without pain?
I don’t think so.
The emotional suffering that jesus endured by being tortured and killed by his flock, his people that he loved, is what matters to me. I think he had the power to resist and chose not to be captured and not to die. He chose not to thwart capture.
“forgive them father, for they know not what they do”.
Wasn’t that his final words? Or at least he said this when close to his end. I’m not good at quoting the bible. But I’m close enough, I think. I know enough to get the basic idea.
“I noticed there is nothing in there that says a christian MUST cling to the cross as if it were some kind of totem. So if a person calling himself a christian chooses to NOT cling to the cross, that by itself means nothing.”
The cross of Jesus means everything to me..1 Corinthians 1:17-31 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God..v18
“forgive them father, for they know not what they do”. Wasn’t that his final words? Or at least he said this when close to his end. I’m not good at quoting the bible. But I’m close enough, I think. I know enough to get the basic idea.”
NO they were not the final words of Jesus from the cross...Why dont you mormons ever read the Bible for yourselves??? Is it because you are afraid of the meaning OF His words..”IT IS FINISHED” John 19:30 The death of Jesus on the cross was a finished work of redemption...When Jesus diedf He went down into Hell for three day..walked up to the devil, Satan, and said “give me them there keys” and the devil said “yes sir” and hands them over real quick like...then Jesus came up out of Hell, through the grave/tomb and was resurrected...
The death of Jesus on the cross was all it took to save us...all we have to do is confess that we are sinners, ask God the Father to forgive us, ask Jesus to come into our heart and forgive us, and do all that believing that Jesus did die for us and will save us and there you are...saved form the power of sin and death...There is absolutely nothiong you can do on your on to be saved...you cannot work your way into Heaven no matter how good a mormon you are...