As Easter approaches... it’s again time to reflect on the events and symbols of that momenteous day and time in human history.
The Cross stands eternal. A monument of suffering and victory, of sacrifice and salvation, of unimaginable love and promise. Nothing that has ever existed in wood or stone, no ediface of man’s hand, no natural wonder of creation casts such a powerful and far-reaching shadow over the entire world... as does the Cross of Christ.
The Cross is much more than a symbol and monument, it’s an agent of change. However, even in it’s powerful shadow, any change it can prompt, motivate and shepherd is entirely up to you. Availing yourself of the benefits of the Cross of Christ is a personal choice. Its power and healing looms large for anyone who desires to embrace it.
Have you realized a personal victory from your old and sinful nature since you've become a Christian? Or are you still "stuck" in a major rut, trapped by your old thinking patterns and unhealthy behaviors?
Romans 6:6-7 is a reminder that your "old" nature, your "old" manner - your "old" self - was crucified and died with Jesus when He was crucified on the cross. Anyone who embraces the Cross of Christ can be free from the powers of sin. You have only two options that will rule your life... you must choose. Christ or the things of the World. The world is in the hands of Satan and will eventually consume you by its corruption and sin. However, committing your life to Christ brings true freedom. Because of His love in going to the cross for you, He has defeated the power of sin and its hold on you. You can escape its influence in your life if you want to. In Christ, your old nature has died, you are now free from sin and the way you used to live before you accepted Jesus into your life.
Our old nature, our old self did things that alienated us from God. This old nature was inherited from Adam and Eve, who brought sin into the world. (Romans 5:12) We used to live life without the help of God's Holy Spirit, who can now live inside every Christian. We were unable to live the kind of life that glorified God. We were unable to make behavior changes that we knew would be healthy for us... healthy in mind, body and spirit. Before the cross... nothing we could do could please God. But now with the benefits available because of the cross, we are acceptable and pleasing to God... thanks to the Cross of Christ.
Because of what Jesus did on the cross at Calvary, we now have a new nature and we can live in triumph over death and sin and our old ways of living. (Romans 5:17-19) Committed, faithful and obedient Christians enjoy a right-standing with God. We are now righteous in His eyes, because of what Jesus did and our faith in what the Word of God says. We are free to live in the power of the cross. This, accompanied with the power that we have within... God's Holy Spirit, enables us to live life fully.
It should enable us to live life with less frustration and turmoil. Sure, we will still struggle in some areas, and we may experience personal pain, anguish and sorrow, but we should be able to enjoy significant victory over the way we used to live, because of the cross and because of the power that we now have.
Life’s difficulties are minimized and marginalized as we bask in the transforming powers of the leading and guiding Holy Spirit. We have the same power in us that raised Jesus from His tomb! The Holy Spirit living in us gives us the power to live the Christian life. (Ephesians 1:19-20) This is a benefit of the Cross of Christ. The indwelling Holy Spirit is only available to those who choose to let Christ lead your life. This power can enable us to make the kind of behavior changes that we know will make us spiritually healthy.
A key for all of us is to continuously acknowledge to God, in prayer, that we can do nothing without Him. We are unable to make transforming life changes by our own strength... in the abilities of our old nature and that we are strongest in our weakness and that the ability to experience change comes only in God's strength and power... the Holy Spirit. (2 Cor. 12:9 and Isaiah 40:28-31)
Thank Jesus everyday for what He did on the cross.
Have you fully recognized and understand what He did? If you've accepted Christ as your Savior and been baptized for remission of your sins, then your "old" nature died on the cross with Him. Are you living life in the shadow of that enabling power?
Are you allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to work in your life to make the lifestyle changes in you that God desires to make in you?
Are you regularly admitting to God that you do not have the ability to live a life pleasing to Him without His power to do so?
Now is the time to renovate your life and enjoy a life of freedom in the Shadow of the Cross.
