Who Needs The Cross?

Who Needs The Cross?

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks [gentiles] seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of god, and the wisdom of god. Because the foolishness of god is wiser than men; and the weakness of god is stronger than men. I Cor. 1:18,22-25

Who needs the benefits of the cross? The short answer is 'All of us!' We all have sinned, and we were all born with a fallen nature that is prone to sin and selfishness. All of us; Jews, non-Jews, and those of every religious and cultural persuasion, wrestle with self-destructive and harmful desires, and moral failures.

Crucifixion was not unique in Roman times, but only one person was crucified who did nothing to deserve it! He died for our sins, not his! When Jesus cried out “it is finished" (literally, 'paid in full'); the earth trembled, graves were opened, and the heavy curtain that denied entrance to the inner temple was torn from top to bottom. How do we know this? We have eye witness accounts: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John! There are also non-biblical, historical, accounts of the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection such as the writings of Josephus.

Luke 9:22 '...The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and raised up the third day.'

Jesus told his disciples that he would be crucified and be raised from the dead, but they didn't want to believe that he could die and be taken away from them. Many believed that Jesus would deliver them from the Roman occupiers and lead the Jews to victory through some type of political or military means.

John the Baptist had it right, when he declared "Behold the Lamb Of God, who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29 ESV

Col 2:13,14 ESV And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Because our sin has been so completely removed as a result of the cross of Christ, we are able to have an eternal relationship with our just and holy God. The righteousness of Christ has been imputed to us, and our sin was imputed to Jesus, at the cross (IICor.5:19,21). The grace of our Lord Jesus, allowed us to be part of his literal family! Jesus is our older brother, and Jehovah is our Heavenly Father.

Through the cross, we have been restored to right standing with God. There is no more sin standing between us and our creator! Jesus willingly suffered the punishment that we deserved, and satisfied the demand for justice.

Jesus died for everybody in the whole world, but only those who choose to accept this great gift of forgiveness, will benefit from the sacrifice that He made on the cross. We are saved by grace (God's unmerited favor, benevolence) through faith. "Knock and the door will be opened"! God himself, will supply the faith that you need to believe his word and trust his promises.

Rom 10:12,13 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Salvation is a word that is not often used by most religions, only Christians frequently speak of it. Many people refuse to believe that they need to be 'saved' from sin, but they would rather believe that they are innately 'good' and need no salvation, some think they only need ''enlightenment' or 'realization' of their 'divinity'. Jesus said "I didn't come to save the righteous, but to save sinners."

Only Jesus offers a complete, and eternal salvation. There is no salvation in any other name! Buddha, Mohammed, Krishna; none other has the credentials of Jesus. None did the miracles he did; none taught as he did, no other has risen from a tomb three days after being brutally tortured and murdered. No one fulfilled specific and detailed prophecies that were written hundreds of years before his birth, as Jesus of Nazareth did. There are many gods and men who have been worshiped, but they are not Jehovah or his son Joshua [Jesus]. All roads do not lead to the same place!

The sin problem was been settled at the cross by Jesus, only your unbelief and stubbornness can prevent you from enjoying union with your creator. He has made the way for you, let Him save you from your self, and take away your guilt and self-righteousness! You can have all the benefits of salvation for your spirit, soul, and body by believing that the good news of the Gospel is true, and that God's grace is meant for you. If you are a sinner, you are eligible to receive this great salvation at no cost to you! Jesus paid the price at the cross, and you are the beneficiary!

The only sin that can disqualify you from receiving the benefits of the cross, is the sin of unbelief. Your Salvation and restoration has been paid for! You only have to sign for it , by Acknowledging that God's Promise is true, and accept the person of Jesus Christ for your personal savior. He saved the whole world, and that includes You!

You can't clean yourself up enough to deserve heaven, just accept this grace, and God himself will change you from the inside. He will give you a new heart, and your desire will be to please Him! Rest in his love, and He will take care of all that needs to be done. Jesus paid it all! You have nothing to offer, except your trust and gratitude!

We need everything that Jesus obtained for us on the cross, where He took our place and paid for our redemption with His blood.

Who needs the cross? We do! Let's take our old life to the cross, and receive a new life, born from above and born of God himself!

©2011Rev.Charles J. Loubert