Following up the previous blogs in more theologically precise language, the life and teachings of Jesus are an integral part of the atonement event. The cross did not occur in a vacuum. Jesus did not drop down out of heaven and go to the cross. He led a life that brought him there. In becoming man he subjected himself to the historical process, suffering its consequences. Otherwise, he is no true brother of ours. "He learned obedience through the things which he suffered."

Faithful preaching of the cross, therefore, must incorporate also the life and teachings of Jesus. In so doing, the ethical teachings of Jesus, so often emphasized by 'liberal' theology, is wed to the cross as atonement, as emphasized by evangelicals. There is no dichotomy and there is not one without the other.

The practical outworking of this integration is that evangelicals who "glory in the cross" must also learn to glory in Jesus' life and teachings which resulted in the cross. Evangelicals must learn that to "lift high the cross" necessarily includes lifting high the footsteps to the cross. By so doing, the ethical teachings of Jesus, all too often ignored or subjugated to a lesser importance by evangelicals, will regain their importance to followers of Christ. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ includes believing his message as well as his cross and resurrection. The result of such belief will mean that our lifestyles, ethics and allegiances must fall under the holy lens of Jesus' life. It also means that as a follower of Christ I cannot share in the victory of his cross without sharing in its cause and shame--the holy, selfless life of Christ.