June Hymn of the Month:

Lift High the Cross

By: George W. Kitchin 1887, Modified by Michael R. Newbolt 1916

John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”

Over the last two months, we have placed special emphasis on the amazing grace of God in salvation; about His sovereignty and divine will that is accomplished in the lives of His chosen; and the wonderful security that a true believer in Christ can have because of these astonishing truths. This month, I thought that we would move to the opposite end of the spectrum, and talk about our part, in God’s plan for salvation. John Macarthur said something once that continuously reminds me about our part in salvation. He said “any theology so focused on the sovereignty of God, that it causes the believer to stop contending for the faith, is a lopsided theology.” This statement is not only true, but I believe that it hits close to home in many of our lives.

This hymn comes just in time, as people are out enjoying the weather, taking vacations, enjoying the gift of life that God has given us. It comes in time, to remind us of our responsibility as believers in Christ, to lift His cross high, that men cannot help, but be drawn to Him. When we share the truth about Christ’s perfect sinless life, about His atoning death on the cross, His resurrection from the grave and ascension into heaven, in the light of our sinfulness, our depraved hearts, and our natural animosity toward the righteous things of God, we give those who hear the opportunity to have a real life, eternal life in Christ.

Make no mistake, God is sovereign, all of those whom He chooses will come to Him for salvation, but an amazing truth that should always be our focus is that God chooses to use His children to accomplish His sovereign will in salvation. We aren’t responsible for the outcome, we cannot make anyone believe, but God’s promise is that His Word will not come back void, it will accomplish that for which it has been sent. As it says in 1 Corinthians 1:18 “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.” In fact, in the same letter, Paul tells us about his part in the salvation of those he preached to in chapter 3:6-7 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

With these two truths, we should have an amazing confidence, and determination to declare God’s truth. We can have confidence, because we aren’t responsible for the outcome, only to faithfully proclaim the Word. You see, it is not you or I who wins someone over to Christ, it is God alone who gives the increase. In fact, the less of ourselves we offer up, and the more of God’s Word we proclaim, the better. It is the truth of God’s Word that draws men to Christ, not clever stories, not heart-warming melodies, not your testimony and certainly not hammering them with hellfire and brimstone. I’m not saying that these things aren’t useful, there is a time and a place for all of them, but we must remember, It is God’s Word that has the power to save.

In closing, I would like to share Romans 10:14-17: How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of Good things! However, they did not all heed the glad tidings; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
Please remember, that as a believer, you have been sent, by the Lord Jesus Himself, to share the Gospel of His cross, and of the redemption that can only be found through His name. There is nothing more amazing and wonderful than the pardon we have received through His atoning sacrifice, and there is nothing more worth sharing than this very truth.

Lift high the cross! The love of Christ proclaim
Till all the world adore, His sacred name.

Come brethren, follow where our savior trod,
Our King victorious, Christ the Son of God.

Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine

O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree
As Thou hast promised, draw men unto Thee

Thy kingdom come, that earth’s despair may cease
Beneath the shadow of its healing peace

For Thy blest cross which doth for us atone
Creation’s praises rise before Thy throne