For most of my adult life, I have told students and Christians that if they want to have a meaningful life, a life filled with joy, hope, peace and a real sense of of faith, they must get close to the cross. So powerful is the experience of the cross that it is the greatest sacrifice ever known. It is the single greatest act of love ever performed. It is the most important historical fact in our Christian faith. There are perhaps thousands of great truths that can be derived from the most holy moment in time. Over the next couple weeks, I want to share three that will stir your mind about beauty, glory and the power of the cross.
TRUTH ONE: Every good thing that you know, have, or do is because of the cross. Consider the paraphrased applications of these three verses: John 15:6 – Apart from Christ, I can do nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 – Without love, nothing that I do has purpose or meaning. John 15:13 – “Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for a friend.”
Whether you are a Christ-follower or not, all the good that is in the world, all the joy, laughter, hope and things that we enjoy comes through the cross. When Christ died, He purchased everything that is not part of our judgement. To put it another way: We all deserve to die and go to Hell forever. Today, because of my sins, I should wake up in Hell. We all deserve Hell. Romans 3:23 says, “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Everyone reading this has sinned against God multiple times and everyone (especially this writer) has violated God’s holy ways and His holy laws. But Christ chose to be pounded to a cross. He chose to hang there, suffering for six grueling hours and to pay for our sins. He had no sins to pay for. He is sinless. At the cross, He chose to give us grace and love. Judgment was our only option. Hell was our only destiny. Eternal suffering was our only choice. Then came the cross and the cross changed everything.
The truth of the cross exists in our everyday life. When I have the opportunity to go bow hunting for white tail deer next season, it is because of the cross. When you watch your favorite football team take the field in victory or your favorite NASCAR driver cross the finish line in first place, it is because of the cross. When your grandson or daughter gives you a hug, a card, or a page from a coloring book, it is because of the cross. When someone says to you with meaning, “I love you,” it is because of the cross. Pastor and author John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota says it this way: “The cross purchased for me every good thing and every joy I experience. The cross changed my life from judgment to grace.”
Check back next week for the second truth about the power of the cross.
TRUTH ONE: Every good thing that you know, have, or do is because of the cross. Consider the paraphrased applications of these three verses: John 15:6 – Apart from Christ, I can do nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 – Without love, nothing that I do has purpose or meaning. John 15:13 – “Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for a friend.”
Whether you are a Christ-follower or not, all the good that is in the world, all the joy, laughter, hope and things that we enjoy comes through the cross. When Christ died, He purchased everything that is not part of our judgement. To put it another way: We all deserve to die and go to Hell forever. Today, because of my sins, I should wake up in Hell. We all deserve Hell. Romans 3:23 says, “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Everyone reading this has sinned against God multiple times and everyone (especially this writer) has violated God’s holy ways and His holy laws. But Christ chose to be pounded to a cross. He chose to hang there, suffering for six grueling hours and to pay for our sins. He had no sins to pay for. He is sinless. At the cross, He chose to give us grace and love. Judgment was our only option. Hell was our only destiny. Eternal suffering was our only choice. Then came the cross and the cross changed everything.
The truth of the cross exists in our everyday life. When I have the opportunity to go bow hunting for white tail deer next season, it is because of the cross. When you watch your favorite football team take the field in victory or your favorite NASCAR driver cross the finish line in first place, it is because of the cross. When your grandson or daughter gives you a hug, a card, or a page from a coloring book, it is because of the cross. When someone says to you with meaning, “I love you,” it is because of the cross. Pastor and author John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota says it this way: “The cross purchased for me every good thing and every joy I experience. The cross changed my life from judgment to grace.”
Check back next week for the second truth about the power of the cross.
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