The Second Arm of the Cross
By Kurt Simons | May 6, 2008
A friend once pointed out an elegant aspect of the image of the Christian cross: It has a vertical arm, which can be seen as representing our relationship with Jesus, and a horizontal arm, representative of our relationship with our neighbor. In other words, the cross can be seen as a symbol of the two Great Commandments (Matthew 22:36). I have found, however, as, I’m sure, have others, that it is seductively easy to just focus on becoming a “vertical Christian,” on developing my relationship with Jesus, and let the often more difficult horizontal relationships and responsibilities slide. In other words, I sometimes need reminding that
“A person is not born for their own sake, but for the sake of others; that is, so that a person should not live for themselves alone, but for others. Otherwise no society could hold together, nor could there be any good in it.” (True Christian Religion 406)
“If you feel no yearnings to give the bread of life to the famishing, to open the prison doors of evil and falsity, and lift the burdens from the many, and let the oppressed go free; if you form no deliberate and solemn purpose to do what lies in you to dethrone the powers of evil and build up the Lord’s kingdom on earth, then you have no mercy in your hearts for suffering humanity. Talk about truth and contend for doctrines as much as you please, there is no truth in your hearts. Mercy and truth have not met together in you, righteousness and peace have not kissed each other.
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6: 36)
(from Chauncey Giles, Heavenly Blessedness: The Blessedness of Mercy)
Topics: Issues, Theology | No Comments »
« Previous Entries