
As a Christian, I believe that the gift of Salvation is given to those who have faith and believe that Jesus Christ is who he claims to be, the Savior of Man. Jesus is the living God who showed himself as a Man-God coming to earth to teach us what was expected of us and to die for us. He then was resurrected unto Life before returning to the Father to sit at his right hand, awaiting those of us who believe in Him and accept His gift. And His death wasn't just for those who lived in His time on earth, it was for all mankind forever forward until the time comes for His return to rule the world. But it's important to remember that His offer must be accepted before our earthly death, for after that event it will sadly be too late. We can no longer make decisions in death. But if we make the right decision in life, it can last forever.
For us Christians, that little Cross necklace is just a symbol of Him and it is a great tool to help keep us on the path that He set out for us when we committed to Him with our belief through faith. It sounds easy to stay true but it's not, for His perpetual adversary, satan (I never acknowledge the fallen one with upper case), was given free reign on earth by God until the time that Jesus returns. In the meantime and because we are given free will by God, satan was afforded the capability of using our weaknesses against us. He looks for opportunities to offer us those things that we shouldn't have but which we covet, so when he identifies them he puts on a false face to make us think that he is the one we should follow, instead of our Lord. And when he is successful, he gains another victim in his push to infect evil in the very people who God loves and wants as his flock.
But the power of the Cross as a symbol of faith worn around our neck gives us power by reminding us of the central place that He must play in our life. Sometimes it's seen by others, sometimes not, depending on the clothing we wear for different occasions but in my case I can feel it on my skin and it reminds me of its purpose. I also see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night in the bathroom mirror, keeping Him alive in my heart at the start and the end of each day. And for those who do see it, it sends them a signal which often leads to my joyful surprise in making the connection with another brother or sister in Christ I previously did not know. And every little tool that we have to solidify our Christian community, particularly in today's faulty representation of us in a much more secular world, is a form of power in itself.
The power of the Cross - oh, yes, it's real. But then again, without looking at it in faith and as the basis for belief, the power wanes. And when that happens, we all lose, for isn't a life based on someone who truly came to teach us about love and grace with hope for an eternal future better than the other options we see today? For me, the answer is yes. Consider it closely, will you? It can change everything in your life.