The CROSS

The cross of CHRIST leaves me with nothing to boast  - 

Circumcision, good works, preaching the Gospel with words of wisdom, keeping the law etc..

What is your reaction to the message of the cross?

Does it cause you shame?

Is it making you stumble?

Does it sound foolish?

Are you offended and angry?

It would be wise to check your own heart and change your attitude.

It is the only way to your salvation.

O LORD, open my eyes to see the unimaginable magnificence of the old rugged, ugly, cruel cross of my Savior.

When my mind begins to comprehend the glory of the cross of CHRIST,  I will be able to embrace the message of the cross. Then He will enable me to take up my cross to follow in His footsteps.

Then the making of the glorious crown of life for my head will also begin!

 Set your mind on things above, 

not on things on the earth. 

For you died, 

and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

When Christ who is our life appears, 

then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:2-4

NO CROSS

NO CROWN

No Death, No Resurrection!

What did the LORD JESUS do on the cross for me?

The punishment of GOD that I had to bear for my sin, He took upon Himself.

• The crown of thorns for my sinful thoughts.

• The nails on the hands for my sinful works and for the omission of good works

• The nails on the feet for the wrong path I walk and the right path I refuse to walk.

• The humiliation for my  pride.

• Died to give me eternal life through the sacrificial shedding of His blood.

• The vertical beam reminds me that He bridged the gap between me and GOD.

• The horizontal beam reminds me that the walls of separation have broken, connecting me with all of mankind in love.

• He set the example for me to follow - To live selflessly in Him for others.

• The inscription on that cross tells me that the Man called JESUS of Nazareth is the eternal KING of kings and LORD of lords!

• If I serve Him, I will reign with Him eternally!

How do I take up MY CROSS?

There is overcoming power in the CROSS

 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Matthew 5:38-39

We should not resist people, not even the evil ones.

We must resist the devil, whose spirit and attitude manifests through people who are his agents.

We must resist responding and behaving with a similar attitude which will make us also the devil's agents! We must carry the attitude of the Spirit of GOD, allowing Him to work through us. This will manifest in humility, love, grace, wisdom, patience and selflessness.

The snare of the devil is to cause us to act and react not with faith, but with fear.

Another very catchy attitude of the devil is pride of which we need to beware!

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
1 Peter 5:8-9

 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
1 Peter 5:5

In following the way of the cross, we must guard our heart. To keep the attitude of the heart right, we must have a renewed mindset. The mindset is the stronghold. I have control of only my mindset, not that of others.

 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
2 Corinthians 10:3-4

When I crucify the fallen nature of my self, I am following the LORD in the way of the cross.

Then my attitudes, actions and reactions will honor and glorify the LORD and will be towards the wellbeing of others.

This is the power of the cross. This is the example our LORD and Savior has set for us to follow.