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Series: Towards Maturity

Three Aspects of the Cross

The Cross of Christ is the centre of God's entire plan of redemption.

1 Cor.1:23-24; 1 Peter 2:24; Col.1:19-22
In Scripture, we see three aspects to the Cross:

The Heart of the Cross

Revelation 13:8
The Cross was not something God thought up at the last moment. From the moment of Adam's fall, the plan of the Cross was put in motion. The "heart of the Cross" - the sacrificial love that resulted in the sending of Jesus to die - has always been in the heart of the Father. His love is absolute - the Cross was simply its greatest expression.

The Work of the Cross

Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 5:6
There came a time, 2000 years ago, when the heart of the Cross was enacted out upon the Cross of Calvary. The work of the Cross had two aspects:

Christ died for you

When Jesus died, He took the judgment that you should have received. Christ was your substitute - because He died for you, you have eternal life.
1 Cor.15:3; Col.1:13-14; Titus 3:4-7

Christ died as you

Not only did Jesus die for you, He died as you. When Christ died on the Cross, God saw you dying on the Cross in Christ. Your old Adamic nature was crucified in Christ. Christ was your representative - because He died as you, you are now a new creation in Christ!
2 Cor.5:17; Gal.2:20
Many Christians understand the first part of the work of the Cross (the receiving of eternal life), but don't understand the second part (living as a new creation). Many believe they are now supposed to "die out to themselves" and "crucify the old man".

But the Bible tells us that you have already been crucified with Christ. This was part of the work of the Cross for you. You do not have to try to struggle to "die" to sin. You are already dead to sin! All you have to do is receive this truth by faith (the same way you received your salvation), and "count yourself dead to sin". The Holy Spirit then makes it real in your life.

Romans 6:3-14

The Way of the Cross

Luke 9:23
When Jesus told us to take up our cross and follow Him, He did not mean for us to crucify ourselves. We cannot kill off the old nature. That was the work of the Cross. It is the new creation that takes up the Cross and lays down its life for others. It means: Remember: You are not called to do the work of the Cross, but you are called to have the heart of the Cross and to walk the way of the Cross.

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