WORD OF THE WEEK - 'X" - 6-22-2025

Definition:The 24th letter of the English alphabet: Mathematics: Represents an unknown quantity or a variable: A cross-like figure, often used to indicate a spot or intersection; it can be a replacement for signature, placeholder, a warning, a blessing, or a mystery.

Scriptures: 

2 Chronicles 7:14 - “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Romans 10:13 For “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Hebrews 4:16 - “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

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Email:  osnewton@wow-newton.com

Transcript

I am grateful you are joining me on this continuing journey of revelation, faith, and reflection.

This year, God led me to follow an alphabetical pattern where each week we examined a word corresponding to a letter serving as a divine breadcrumb in our walk with the Holy Spirit. If you have been with me since January, you will remember we started with the word Access. I shared that in order to receive the blessings of God, we must make ourselves available to God — through faith, obedience, and surrender.

And now, we have come to the letter X.

Yes, “X” — a letter, a symbol, and, today, our word of the week.

It might seem unconventional, but “X” carries deep and powerful meaning. It can be a placeholder, a signature, or even the Roman numeral for ten. But it is also rich in spiritual symbolism.

The letter “X” — or Chi, in the Greek alphabet — gained special significance in early Christianity. In 312 AD, Emperor Constantine the Great had a dream before a major battle. He saw a divine symbol in the sky: the Chi-Rho — the first two letters of “Christos” in Greek — Chi (X) and Rho (P). The symbol was accompanied by the prophesy, “In this sign, you will conquer.”

Inspired by this vision, Constantine placed the symbol on his soldiers’ shields. After a victorious battle at Milvian Bridge, he embraced Christianity. From that time, the Chi-Rho symbol became an emblem of Christ’s authority, protection, and divine victory — a symbol of heaven intersecting with earth. That is also where we get the shortened version of Christmas as "X-mas" — not as a dismissal of Christ, but as a sacred shorthand.

But today, the letter “X” feels heavier.

Just as I was preparing this message, the United States launched strikes on facilities in Iran, escalating tensions already boiling in the Middle East. This act, no matter the view, has brought us dangerously close to global conflict with the potential of it being the start of a third World War.

The symbol “X” — so often seen in crosshairs, in targeting systems — now hangs over us with sobering weight.

I have intentionally tried to remain politically neutral in the writing of the Word of the Week. I have kept my primary focus on encouraging my audience to develop a life that follows the words of the Bible and the example of Christ. But the irony of the letter “X” being the point of discussion at this time, is astounding. 

It was Israel — God’s chosen people — whose actions set this chain of events in motion. And it was the United States — a nation that has long identified with Christian values — that has taken a step which could usher in unprecedented destruction.

So, I ask you today:

Will “X” be the symbol that designates areas targeted for destruction?

Or will” it be the symbol of Christ — a call to action, to faith, to divine intervention?

Will “X” be the emblem of our end, or the beginning of a collective turning back to God?

What symbol of humanity will prevail?

I urge you — pray without ceasing. Not out of fear, but out of hope. Because the same God who brought victory through a symbol of sacrifice in Jesus Christ, can bring peace through His people, if we humble ourselves and seek His face.