My Attitude to the Cross

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14)

I find a deep, compelling message in the words of an old hymn no longer sung. And I am concerned for the spiritual desire now seemingly lost with the hymn:

Oh, for that flame of living fire
Which shone so bright in saints of old,
Which bade their souls to heaven aspire,
Calm in distress, in danger bold.

Where is that Spirit, Lord, which dwelt
In Abram's breast and sealed him Thine,
Which made Paul's heart with sorrow melt
And glow with energy divine?

That Spirit which from age to age
Proclaimed Thy love and taught Thy ways,
Brightened Isiah's vivid page
And breathed in David's hallowed lays.

... "Where is that Spirit, Lord?" Why must we cry in pathetic and plaintive manner, "Where is Thy Spirit, Lord?" I think it is because we differ from the saints of old in our relation to the Cross - our attitude toward the Cross.

The Cross on the hill must become the Cross in our hearts.

~A. W. Tozer~