The Scarlet Letter
By: Nathaniel Hawthorne Modernised and edited by Jim McGuiggan (2004)
By: Nathaniel Hawthorne Modernised and edited by Jim McGuiggan (2004)
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The cross of Christ was not a new way for God to relate to his creation. The historical cross was the revelation that God cannot relate to a fallen world in any other way. This is why Peter says Christ was ordained before the world began (1 Peter 1:19) and why John said Christ was the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).
Paul insisted that God’s purpose and grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began but that it was only now revealed through the appearance of Christ as Savior (2 Timothy 1:9). I don’t doubt that there is the element of purpose in the text (it says so!) but I think we need to remember that purpose takes its rise from the nature and character of God. He wills and purposes according to his heart and that heart was revealed in its fullness in Jesus Christ. The cross is an historical revelation of God’s unchanging character and commitment to his creation.
(Extracted from McGuiggan's "The Dragon Slayer". Contact raybeth@sssnet.com )
