THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

THEME: THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).

Every true Christian surely remembers when he came to the realization that he was a lost sinner, destined for an eternity of misery in the lake of fire. Confronted with the reality that God’s Son died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, we humbly and sincerely repented of our sins and accepted the atoning blood of Christ as the price “paid in full” for our offences against God.

The case is stated very well in the song titled “The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference.”

‘Twas a life filled with aimless desperation
Without hope walked the shell of a man;
Then a hand with a nail print stretched downward,
Just one touch then a new life began.

Chorus:

And the old rugged cross made the difference
In a life bound for heartache and defeat;
I will praise Him forever and ever
For the cross made the difference for me

Dear saint, do you remember that day clearly? Do you not rejoice with joy unspeakable when you think of that “hand with a nail print” that reached downward and lifted you out of the mire of sin? What joy filled your soul as you felt the heavy guilt of your sins suddenly vanish in the cleansing stream of God’s love and, as the glorious Saviour entered in, everything changed. Before your experience with Christ you were indeed bound for a life of heartache and defeat, but now you enjoy a life with joy unspeakable and full of glory!

The suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross purchased not only our salvation, but also our sanctification, as well as healing for our bodies. In addition, we are told that our Lord purchased The Church of God with His own blood. How fitting it is then that we choose the theme of The Old Rugged Cross for this General Assembly.

We welcome all attendees to this 109th General Assembly of the Lord’s Church and pray that each one will enjoy the glorious blessings our Saviour brought to us through the old rugged cross.

Stephen E. Smith, General Overseer

The Church of God