DATE AT THE CROSS
Part one of fifteen devotions in Heaven Enchantment Series
1 Corinthians 15:1-22
1 Corinthians 15:1-2: “Now brothers, I want to remind you of the
gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your
stand. By this gospel you are saved, if
you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.
Otherwise, you have believed in vain. ”
Jesus
said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30). He: 1)
Lived a sinless life, 2) Permitted his betrayal and arrest, 3) Suffered floggings
and ridicule, 4) Allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross, 5) Died as the only perfect sacrifice. Jesus knew that He’d 6) Rise to life and 7)
Ascend to heaven.
Now
that Jesus’ work is finished, believers work starts with a date at the cross. The sinful nature needs to die so that believers
can live victoriously in the newness of life. (Romans 6:4).
Where
to start? Jesus directs in Matthew
16:24: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny
himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”
Believing
in Jesus removes the penalty of death for sin—but not its power. Serious believers will choose to use God’s
gift of free will to surrender their will to God…because…Jesus fell to the
ground, sweating drops of blood for us, dreading separation from the Father on
the cross. Appealing to the Father to “remove
the cup from Him”…Jesus confessed, “Yet not My will,
but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42-44).
We
too, must deny self.
“Take up your cross
and follow Me.” Jesus adds. Apostle
Paul’s cross (thorn in his flesh, from 2 Corinthians 12:7, was probably pride). Your “cross” could be selfishness, being a
servant, even unforgiven sin. Unforgiven
sin is dangerous, and tricky.
Sin
must be confessed, then repented (turning away). Hidden sins will be uncovered (Hebrews 4:13). The tricky part is to forgive everyone who
sinned against you. Every offence, every
slight. Because God will not forgive sin of whomever hasn’t forgiven another’s sin (Matthew
6:14-15).
This
date at the cross makes a difference in your eternity. Please read on, even complete the lesson
that’s linked below.
Take Home Nugget
Jesus says in John 3:5a and 7b: “I tell you the
truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God… unless he is born again.”
After
accepting Jesus as Savior, one’s baptism means dying to sin and rising as a
“new creation.” Sin loses all power over
believers, who become the righteousness of God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:15-17, 21).
1
John 5:1a and 13b assures, “Everyone who believes Jesus is the Christ is born
of God…so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
A
date at the cross removes sin’s power over believers.
J.D. Griffith
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