Series: Towards Maturity
The Cross of Christ is the centre of God's entire plan of redemption.
1 Cor.1:23-24; 1 Peter 2:24; Col.1:19-22In Scripture, we see three aspects to the Cross:
Revelation 13:8The 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.
Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 5:6There 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
2 Cor.5:17; Gal.2:20Many 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
Luke 9:23When 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:
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Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures quoted in these studies are from the New International Version of the Bible, & copy; New York International Bible Society, used by permission. Other versions referred to are: KJV (King James Version), NKJB (New King James Bible), TLB (The Living Bible), Amp (The Amplified Bible) and The Message. All versions used by permission.
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