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“HOW DO WE EXPLAIN THE PIVOTAL POINT OF ALL

CHRISTIANITY TO OTHERS

WHO HAVE NO IDEA OF ITS

IMPORTANCE? THEY WEAR CROSSES AND OPENLY COMMIT ACTS OF SIN WITHOUT REGARD TO WHAT CHRIST’S CROSS SAYS AND DOES.”

of my greatest joys in ministry. I receive such a “feel good.” It is in the doing that I sense the power of the Cross. Love is active, demonstrated, and experienced.

The Cross Is Revealed in the Stories of Life

In recent weeks I have listened to several prominent speakers talk about the power of stories. Understanding God’s story is extremely important in revealing the meaning of the Cross.

To teach my students about this con- cept, I selected three boxes. The first box fit inside of the second, and the third was large enough to hold both. It appeared I had one box, but inside were two more. I explained how the box I was holding was representative of God’s story, which is told in the Bible.

Next, I opened the largest box and took out the second, explaining how our story is wrapped inside of God’s story. Even though the Bible is complete, the story continues. Believers today make up just a portion of God’s story. It is easy to think that life is just about us and lose sight of the fact that in a short time after we are gone, we will be forgotten,

but the story of God will continue. I finished the illustration by open- ing box number two and taking out the smallest box. I explained this is my story. Each of us has one. Each of us has the opportunity to write in the margins of God’s story. Of course many things can be done to make our story more appeal- ing, but that is for another time. Donald Miller explained that our story is never finished in a positive way until it reaches its climax. The climax for our story must end with these words from the Master: “Well done, good and faithful ser- vant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21 NIV). The only way to hear “well done” is through the Cross. The clueless must see that the Cross serves as a gate into eter- nity. The clueless must believe the Bible, the story it shares, and the story we share with God.

Mike Nelson leads Soul’d Out Student Ministries for the Plant City, Florida, Church of God.

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