I am reading a book by Will Metzger, called, Tell the Truth.  In it he quotes Tozer on the subject of the “me centered” evangelism out there that does not focus on opposition to sinful human nature.  Tozer calls it, “the new cross”. 

How many times have I heard “gospel” presentation saying just “accept” God or “confess” Him?  Then the false convert can go on his way thinking he is saved and be innoculated against the real thing.  The unbeliever should not be concerned about accepting God, but be concerned about Him “accepting” him!!!

The new cross does not slay the sinner, it redirects him.  It gears him into a cleaner and jollier way of living and saves his self respect.  To the self assertive, it says”come and assert yourself for Christ”.  To the egoist it says, “come and do your boasting for the Lord”.  To the thrill seeker it says, “come and enjoy the thrill of the abundant Christian life”.  The idea behind the kind of thing may be sincere, bu ti sincerity does not save it from being false.  It misses completely the whole meaning of the cross.  The cross is a symbol of death.  it stand for the abrupt, violent end of a person.  God salvages the individual by liquidating him and then raising him to newnesss of life.  The corn must fall into the ground and die.  God then bestows life, but not an improved old life.  Whoever would posess it must pass under the rod.  He must repudiate himself and concur in God’s just sentence against him.  How can this theology be translated in life?  Simply, the non-Christian must repent and believe.  He must forsake his sins and then go on to forsake himself.  Let him cover nothing, defend nothing, excuse nothing.  Let him not seek to make terms with God, but let him bow his head before the stroke of God’s stern displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die.  Tozer, The Old Cross and the New, (Harrisburg, PA Christian Publications).