But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto
the Greeks foolishness; (1 Corinthians 1:23)
Charles IX, who ordered the massacre on St. Bartholomew's Day, on his death bed said,
``What shall I do, I am lost forever.'' Sir Francis Newport, head of the English Infidel
Club, just before his death is reported to have said, ``You need not tell me there is no
God, for I know there is one, and I am in His angry presence. You need not tell me there
is no hell, for I already feel my soul slipping into its fires.'' When Jesus was on the
cross, during His final hours, He said, ``Father forgive them for they know not what they
do...Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.'' What a contrast between these final
last words. Words of sorrow and remorse, of those who rebelled and mocked God, in contrast
to Christ's words of victory. Jesus said, ``It is finished'', referring to the work of
salvation completed by Him on the cross. All who call upon Jesus' name can share in His
victory. Let's look at what Christ accomplished on the cross for us: ON THE
CROSS, GOD'S POWER IS REVEALED (1 Cor 1:18)
``For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto
us which are saved it is the power of God.''
Years ago I was working at a radio station in Richmond, Virginia. The transmitter was
in a small building surrounded by an open field. A thunderstorm came up and lightning hit
the main power line. A copper constructed ``Dummy'' antenna on the line melted, and the
copper, in all colors of the rainbow, flowed over the cabinets onto the floor. It was
quite a display of electrical power. On the cross we see a display of God's power. His
power revealed over death, hell, Satan, helplessness and hopelessness, it is a power that
has no limitations. The world knows nothing of this power, to them death is the ultimate
enemy. They would have us believe that life as we live it in the flesh is all there is,
but the Bible says such teaching is foolish. ``It is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment:'' (Heb 9:27). We not only have an appointment with
death, but we have an appointment with judgment too. Unbelievers will have to face God on
that day, but believers have already been judged in Christ, ``In Whom we have
redemption, through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins:'' (Col 1:14) The death
of Christ on the cross is where God opens the door to all His blessings for us.
ON THE CROSS, SIN'S PENALTY WAS PAID (Col 2:14)
``Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;''
By the law is the knowledge of sin. The wages of sin is death and all have sinned. What
possible hope can there be for us? Jesus came, without sin, and willingly took the sinners
place. ``He who knew no sin was made to be sin for us that we might be made the
righteousness of God in Him.'' (2 Cor 5:21)<. His death became the substitutionary sacrifice for
believers. ``I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth
in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me, and gave himself for me.'' (Gal 2:20). Only Jesus could accomplish this work
of salvation. Satan says it's not important what you believe, or who, as long as you are
sincere. God says, ``He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God
hath not life.'' (1 John 5:12) Who do you believe? In Acts 12, Peter was put in prison,
waiting to be executed. The church prayed for him and the Bible says his chains fell off,
the prison doors opened and an angel led him out of the prison to safety. We can have that
same freedom from the penalty and bondage of sin through Christ. He purchased that freedom
for us on the cross.
ON THE CROSS MAN'S PEACE IS ACCOMPLISHED (Col 1:20)
``And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all
things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in
heaven.''
The cross work of Christ is the key to peace. Salvation is complete, nothing need be
added, God's justice is satisfied and His demands fully met. The cross frees God to act in
love and mercy toward repentant sinners. God's promises become the believers possessions
through the blood of His cross. Reconcile means to change thoroughly, and that is exactly
what happens in our relationship to God when we receive Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
In my neighborhood there is a road called Cemetery Road. Just underneath of the
road sign is another sign reading, ``Dead end''. Many think that death is the end, yet the
Bible teaches it is a transition. The body may change to dust, but the soul is immortal.
It will live forever, either separated from God or in His presence. Where will you be? The
cross makes possible an eternity with God. Praise be to Him.
The cross makes the difference, the resurrection proves it! On the third day He arose
again, and because He lives, we too shall live. |
