The Cross of Redemption

I thank the Lord everyday for His love and grace.  The love that God demonstrated for me on the cross is beyond my ability to comprehend.  The apostle Paul reference that in Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  This kind of love is not something that humans understand well but it is one we must learn to accept and believe.  It is amazing that Jesus was willing to die for my sins when I was still in rebellion with little or no desire for a relationship with God.  The pain and suffering that Jesus went through on the cross will not be something we will be able to identify with on this side of heaven.  It was love, love for us, that keep Jesus on the cross.  It was and still is the cross of redemption.  Jesus will forgive us because the penalty for our sin was paid in full on the cross.  Jesus will restore us and build us up in love because the cross defeated our enemy and now we can experience victory.  Jesus will heal us of a variety of ailments, broken hearts and minds because there on the cross Jesus made a way to redeem, restore and to revive what the enemy tried to destroy.  We celebrate all that and more during Passion Week and Easter Sunday.  The key to spiritual maturity is not found in the celebrations of these wonderful things that Jesus has done for us but in living them out in faith everyday of our lives.
The cross of redemption being lived out is the challenge for every follower of Jesus Christ.  Many people believe in Jesus but when bad things happen to them they seem to allow that to control them rather then the truth of the cross of redemption.  It is only through Jesus that one can forgive the unforgiveable, it is only through Jesus that one have peace in the midst of chaos, it is only through Jesus that we can love and unlovable.  The key to all this is not what is happening all around us but what is happening inside of us through Jesus Christ and His work on the cross.  Here are three things you can do that is based upon the cross of redemption that will help you to face whatever comes your way.  First, begin to confess all sin, little or big and cover them with the blood of Christ.  I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  Second, begin to make a confess of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Savior, Lord, Healer, Provider and Strength.  This will help you to trust Him more, this will solidify your faith in Jesus Christ and this will put your enemy on notice that everyday you belong to Jesus and he has no power over your life.  Third, begin to act upon the truth of the cross of redemption and all that Jesus has done for you and not your emotions of any moment.  It is the truth that sets us free.  This will help us to keep the things in the proper context in the light of eternity.  This will also help you to make decisions in life based upon biblical truth rather then temporal circumstances.
Revelation 12:11 "They overcame him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony."
May you live in the power of the cross of Christ.

Pastor John