The highway to heaven will not, cannot, detour the cross of Christ. Our knowledge of scripture, or debate of canonicity, nor any pursuits of proof alone will replace the requirement for our own sanctification. All may be very intriguing and even edifying, yet it cannot replace what Christ did on the cross. "We" cannot replace what Christ did on the cross. This is a roster upon which no Christ-follower can ever find himself on game-day. Only one pitcher on the mound, and no reliever. He did what you or I cannot do, are not equipped to do, were never designed to do.
For a moment of clarity put down your discipleship and pick up the only cross you can ever carry; the cross of followship and dying to self; reclaiming and re-stating Christianity; genuine Christianity ...not support groups, causes, or boycotts which make us feel more Christian, and look more Christian with our Christian clubs. In striving for a likeness of Christ let us not dismiss the cross of Christ; the one only He could carry, and chose to carry so that you don't have to. Indeed, the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. It is written... He [God] will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning, He will thwart. (1 Corinthians 1:18-19) The only substitution we should consider is the one Christ made for our atonement, and our at-One-ment.
