Christian Living

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In the 9/11 destruction of the Twin Towers two steel beams survived in the form of a cross. They are not only a part of the history of that dreadful day but also an inspiration to the workers on the site, as well as to many Americans. This cross is now in the Memorial Museum, in honor of those who lost their lives.

A group of atheists, however, are trying to ban the cross from being displayed because they have claimed "they were suffering physical and emotional damage from the mere existence of the cross-including headaches and indigestion. They also suggested erecting a 17-foot tall "A" for "Atheists" to promote their beliefs at the 9/11 site." (Quotation taken from a newsletter and publication of the American Center for Law & Justice(ACLJ) This is being done even though a Rasmussen survey revealed that 72% of Americans favor keeping the Ground Zero Cross. It could give ME headaches and indigestion just to think that people are bothered by looking at a cross that is part of history and in honor of the deceased.

All the atheists out there have got to have a better argument than that! Is this lack of reasoning and nonsense all they have on which to base their beliefs? In fact this is no basis at all! I wonder how sick they become when they go to cemeteries? Who are they to think that they can silence the voice of the majority and at the same time display THEIR beliefs?

THE PROBLEM OF THE CROSS

The Bible says in Philippians 3:18 that there are people who are "enemies of the cross of Christ." This is further stated in I Corinthians 1:17-18. "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void. For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." It is a problem to those people, but to those of us who are Christians, it is a sacred symbol of our beliefs as expressed in Hebrews 12: 2. We have fixed "our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

THE PASSION OF THE CROSS

The movie, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, vividly portrayed what our Savior went through for us. In Matthew 27:46 Jesus cried out asking why God had forsaken Him. We know that it was because He carried the weight of the total sinful nature of mankind, and God could not look upon Him. At the same time Jesus had the power to come down from the cross but he was willing to fulfill His purpose.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CROSS

The cross was God's plan for mankind's redemption. This is expressed in the following verses.

To take away sins: I John 3:5
To destroy the works of the devil: I John 3:8
That we might live through Him: I John 4:9
God expressed His love for us: John 3:16
It was prophesied at His birth: Matthew 1:21

THE POWER OF THE CROSS

What happened at the cross? There was darkness from the 6th to the 9th hour, with the sun obscured. The veil of the temple was torn in two. This is very significant for Christians because it means that there is direct access to God, and teaches the individual priesthood of each believer. The tombs were opened and the dead appeared. With all of this, there was also a great earthquake. WOW! What a day that must have been! This is all recorded in Matthew 27 and Luke 23.

Now a word to any atheists who might be reading this. If you want to display your big "A" somewhere you have a perfect and legal right to do so, but why seek to tear down a symbol that is dear to Christians just because you do not agree with our position? You want to do away with our symbol and replace it with yours. Totally aside from the religious significance of the cross you are discounting part of the history of 9/11, and dishonoring those who died. All that really does is make you look bad, does it not?

The Christians will bow before our cross. You can bow before your big "A." But where is the power in it? The finished work of Jesus on the cross and his subsequent resurrection from the tomb has been transforming lives down through history, to those who have personally accepted Jesus as their savior.

(Edited on November 26, 2014. According to the ACLJ Newsletter the atheists have lost this case! The cross will continue to be a part of the museum.)

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