Carrying the message of the cross every day

The cross is a symbol of death, life and hope. When we think of Calvary and what transpired that day and the days that followed leading to the resurrection, these should never leave our mind, for it is because of the cross that salvation came to mankind.  We were bought with a price, therefore glorify God (1 Cor 6:20) not only once a year, but every day of your life. This cross is to remind us of the hope we have in Jesus Christ.  One hymn writer, Lucy A. Bennett, wrote:.

“O teach me what it meaneth, for I am full of sin,
And grace alone can reach me, And love alone can win.
O teach me for I need Thee, I have no hope beside,
The chief of all the sinners, for whom the Savior died.”

Jesus carried all your burdens and your sins upon his cross. (Hebrews 9:28: So, Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many……) Matt. 26:28 (For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.)

(Titus 2: 11-14 teaches us) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

The cross teaches purity, holy living and gives us hope for a bright and better tomorrow. A tomorrow alive and living with Christ. Before the cross, sin came into the world, and it was because of that cross that Jesus paid the price for sin, now we no longer live to sin but live to receive a life free from sin – unto holiness.

Sometimes it may seem hard, but as we look up to the cross and think of all that Jesus did, life becomes simpler as we trust in him. For we are reminded again that we are bought with a price, and we are to glorify God in all things.

This cross points the direction heavenward, for it leads to Christ. We can reject the cross, but we cannot run away from the cross, for every day, it is reflected by the choices we make.

The cross is to save, not condemn.  Keep your focus on it, and never let it depart from your mind.  For it will take you through every valley, across every river, and over every high place.  Having recognized the importance of the cross, we seek to live in accordance with the will of God.  For the cross came that we might believe and live holy unto God in the Spirit and not to the flesh. It is so easy for one to obey the desires of the flesh when their heart is not on the cross, for the eyes are spiritually blinded and unable to see the goodness of the Lord, but when your focus is on God, he provides a way of escape from the desires of the flesh, so that you walk holy in accordance to his will.  Every day brings a new experience with the cross as you are encouraged to grow to greater heights with that which is from above, for the Word is your teacher and as the Spirit guides, you will in obedience, follow as he leads. 

These words of this song by Horatius Bonar encourage you as he recognizes that the cross will always stand.

The cross it standeth fast,
Hallelujah! hallelujah!
Defying every blast,
Hallelujah! hallelujah!
The winds of hell have blown,
The world its hate hath shown,
Yet it is not overthrown,
Hallelujah for the cross!

O for the blessed cross of Calvary which brought a change within this earth, now our soul ought to be satisfied with Jesus, the one who saved us from our sin, who filled our heart with joy to overflow, O be satisfied with Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Areas identified by the cross

• This cross reflects God’s love, his compassion, sacrifice “Hebrew 10:12; But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.”
• It brings joy and peace, humility “Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross“
• It is redeeming and forgiving (John 3:16)
• It is everything to everyone who believes; it is the power of God. (1 Cor. 1:18, For the preaching of the cross, is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God)
• We will never fully comprehend everything about the cross until we reach heaven and be around God’s throne, for that is where it takes full effect. (Heb. 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the Word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;)
• This cross brings us to our knees in submission to God. “Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.”
• This cross opens the way to life everlasting and frees us from bondage. “Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
• Improves our wellbeing and gives us good health. “Isaiah 53: 5 For he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed“
• It never fails.