THE CROSS

By Jemima Rayan

The Cross means more than just a pendent in a chain around your neck or a bumper sticker in your automobile. It really means more than that. The greatest work of 'Christ Jesus' was accomplished on the 'Cross of Calvary' when He laid down His life for us. The love of God was manifested on the Cross of Calvary. Cross is a sign of VICTORY.

What does the cross do for you?

1. Victory over Sin:

God has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us. (1 Thes 5:9,10) Jesus said on the Cross, "It is finished" which means there is nothing which is incomplete when Jesus died for us.1 Pet 2:24 says 'who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness... Rom 5:8 says 'But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

It is so easy to do something for someone who is good. But while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. This love is ultimate. He took the penalty of our sin on Himself. He became SIN for us. Isn't that great?

2. Victory over sickness:

The body of Christ was nailed to the cross. His body was broken for our healing.

1 Pet 2:24 says...by whose stripes you were healed. Is 53:45 says 'Surely He has borne our grief And carried our sorrows...by His stripes we are healed'. Divine healing is provided in the atonement of Christ's redeeming work on the Cross. Matt 8:17 says,' He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.

Are you hurting in your body? Jesus wants to heal you. Claim your healing in the name of Jesus. He has said "Ask and you shall receive"(Matt 7:7). He has paid it all. He took your sickness in His body. Say it out loud in faith,"I am healed by the stripes of Jesus" Soon you will see your body getting healed.

3. Victory over Satan:

Gen 3:14,15; The Lord God said....He shall bruise your head... which means the Seed of woman would someday crush the serpent's head. The Lord Jesus has trampled Satan at the Cross. Rom 16:20 says...and the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. Our victory is a continuation of Christ's victory when He bruised the head of the serpent on the Cross of Calvary.

Jesus said," I give you authority to trample on serpents and scopions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Lk 10:19). Jesus said in Mk 16:17,"In my name you shall cast out demons" Take that authority in the name of Jesus and cast the enemy out. Jesus has made you more than a conqueror. He always causes you to triumph. Hallelujah!

4. Victory over Curses:

Curses are contrary to the blessing. They stop you from receiving your promised blessing. The Bible says in Gal 3:13, 'Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having 'become a curse for us' for it is written, Cursed is every one who hangs on a tree, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus...

The Lord Jesus not only redeems us from the curse, but he brings to pass the blessing of Abraham into our lives. This was made possible because of the Cross.

What is your response?

Step 1:

Invite Jesus into your life: This is the most significant thing, which you could do in this lifetime. This is the key to every blessing. By faith in His atoning work on the Cross of Calvary, you can be washed clean from every sin. Have you invited Jesus into your life? The 'message of the Cross' is the 'power of God' (1 Cor 1:18) Do you need the power of God in your life?

Step 2:

Crucify your flesh: Gal 5:24, Paul says And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Peter said in 1 Pet 2:11"...abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.Christ has given you power through the Spirit of God who lives within you, to crucify the lusts of the flesh and walk in the Spirit. Christ paid the supreme sacrifice of laying down His own life so that you can live in one hundred percent victory over your flesh. Let your flesh be crucified.

Let us says with Paul,"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me".

Step 3:

Pick up your Cross and follow Him: Jesus said in Matt 10:38,"He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me". What is required here is a willingness to give one's life sacrificially for the Master. Your motto should be pleasing the Lord Jesus and not yourself, that is 'denying yourself'. Each one has our own crosses to pick up. Are we willing to pick it up and follow Him? That is what He wants.

May the Lord Jesus help you crucify your flesh, pick up your Cross every day and follow Him. Amen.