Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - March 1/55

Contributor - Henry E. Franken

Title - Crucifying Christ Again

Topic - Crucifixion

...."seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame." (Hebrews 6: 6)

"Whoever would crucify Christ again?" is a question easily asked and then quickly forgotten. Christ was crucified one for all about two thousand years ago. But the above text speaks about doing it over again. That crucifixion was heart-breaking for Him :then and a shame to those who have done it. But the implication here is that there are those now who do something just as bad, even if they cannot touch Him physically.

Immediately you ask "who are those people and is it possible that we would have to ask too "Is it I?" The last part of this question is usually quite easily dismissed, if it comes up at all. Yet it is the most important part. Therefore a bit of self-examination is in order. Lenten season if it is to have its desired effects, should begin with this self-examination. And our prayer too should be, "Examine my heart to see if there be any wicked way in me."

As in the days of the writing of the book of Hebrews, so today there is sufficient reason for complaint about lack of progress in the Christian life or Christian living. We need to "press on to perfection." There is much heated argument about very important matters, such as "repentance faith, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection' and eternal judgment." (Heb. 6 :1, 2.) Not that these subjects should not be discussed, but certainly living the Christian life is more important. The devil can argue the above subjects too, but only in a spirit of malice. Our best argument for them is living them.

The danger of doctrine without practice is that one will harden himself against it. He will become an enemy of what is true and good if he does not live it. He will become an enemy of Christ and His church too if he does not fall in line with the practices. God's Word is meant to win men but if they are not won they will be hardened against Him.

We have all met people undoubtedly who claim that the reason they hate the church is because they were forced to go when they were young. Now the thought of church nauseates them. They leave the impression that the choice of going to church or not should be left to the child for whom everything else that is good is sought. They forget that the blame for not liking the church lies in themselves. They have never been willing to accept what the Lord offers and live the way He would have them live, no wonder they rebel against the church.

A man may learn all about farming in some good agricultural college. But unless he becomes a farmer or gets farm experience, he is apt to snear at farm life. He will become or remain useless to the farm situation. Unless one practices what he learns it will do him more harm than good. This is the point that affects religion.

Christ was crucified and that cannot be done over again. But the non-practice of Christian principles kills the influence Christ might have on us, i.e. "they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame.,, To the contrary, Matthew 5:1 "seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame."

(Hebrews 6: 6) "So let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in heaven." Will you put Christ to open shame by not living the Christian life? Or will you glorify your Father in heaven by your good works?

How gentle the man of God is. Notice Hebrews 6 :9 "But beloved we are persuaded better things of you and things that accompany salvation." He uses strong language to emphasize the importance of "good-works" but he immediately takes note of all the good they have done. They have ministered to the saints. He urges them to keep it up. It is important to continue to the end. There are many temptations to discontinue. "We've carried the load so long" one will say "and now let someone else do it." But the Lord says "Persevere to the end and be saved." It is a fact that anyone who does not persevere to the end will not win the race.

When we were a child, literally or in faith, we did like a child. But when we became a man we put away childish things. A child has things given him and things done for him. But when he grows up it is expected that he will give and do things for others. In other words he will do good-works; the grown-up Christian can do no less than do good works.

Good works are those that come out of faith in the revealed will of God and helpful to others. They are to be done in a spirit of thankfulness that he is able to help others. The Lord loves those who do things cheerfully for Him. That good helps three: the Lord, others and the doer. It is more blessed to help than to be helped.

May we therefore in this lenten season be reminded of the crucifixion of Christ for our sins but also of the necessity of exercising Christian virtues. "Let us press on to perfection."

"Jesus, I my cross have taken,

All to leave and follow thee."

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