Understanding the Significance of the Cross in Christianity
Explore the transformative power of the cross in Christianity, from casting out fear and atoning for sin to studying its profound impact on human will. Delve into the spiritual depth of Christ's sacrifice and its relevance in contemporary faith.
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In Search of the Cross Chapter 10: How the Cross Casts Out Human Fear
Why Search for the Cross ? And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2
Why Search for the Cross ? The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary This is to be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers. Gospel Workers pg 315
The Cross Must Be Studied THE CROSS OF CHRIST MUST BE STUDIED. IT MUST RIVET THE ATTENTION AND HOLD THE AFFECTIONS. THE BLOOD WHICH THERE WAS SHED FOR SINS WILL PURIFY AND CLEANSE MIND AND HEART FROM EVERY SPECIES OF SELFISHNESS TESTIMONIES TO MINISTERS AND GOSPEL WORKERS P. 377
Did Christ have an inward struggle? If He found it easy to bear His cross and follow His Father s will, He must have had only one will, that is, the will of His Father, as an eagle has only one will, that is, the will to be what he was created to be. The eagle knows no conflict wishing to be something else than a flying bird. Ch 10 In Search of the Cross
A certain prophecy had led me to think Jesus had only one will. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:7, 8 Now it began to look to me as though Jesus was a kind of automaton, a human machine that delighted in doing what everybody else in the world, or at least I and most people I knew, found it impossible to do. There was my Eagle, flying in the clouds and enjoying it, while I stumbled around below saying to myself, He says, Follow Me ; but I can t! But I had not read far enough.
He condemned sin in the flesh When Jesus came, Scripture says that the Father sent Him in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh. Romans 8:3. Evidently the Eagle became what I am, an earthbound creature, gave up His wings! If Christ came in the likeness of sinful flesh, that is, my flesh, He must have had as much of a conflict in that flesh as I do in mine; and it would have been no more easy for Him to do His Father s will than it is for me. I found that Jesus acknowledged openly that He had as much of a conflict in His soul as I have in mine. Matthew 26:38, 39 O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me;nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. Here was a frightful conflict.Jesus had a will of His own that was naturally opposed to bearing the cross, just as I have a will of my ownthat is likewise opposed. He said openly, Not as I will. What He did is as clear as sunlight: He denied Hisown will.
There Was Struggle The struggle was terrible. Far more severe than my own. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Hebrews 12:4
Two Wills in Conflict Not only in gethsemane do we find record of His struggle.It had continued all through His life. I can of Myself do nothing: . . . I do not seek My own will but the willof the Father who sent Me. John 5:30. I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but thewill of Him who sent Me. John 6:38. In other words, He came down from heaven to fight our battle inour place, with our flesh and nature, to endure the conflict we must endure, and to surrender His will where we have sinfully, selfishly, followed our will.
He (Jesus) was a free man. Love cannot exist without freedom. 2 Cor 3:18
Wasnt Christ a kind of spiritual genius? 1. Einstein never offered to teach me anything. 2. But Christ did promise me that I could receive in my heart the same love. The scripture that bridged the gap: Philippians 2:5-8
Obedient Unto Death Christ was obedient unto the curse of being hanged on the tree. Galatians 3:13. It was tasting eternal condemnation, drinking, in an infinite sense, the poison of that soul-destroying curse, We can never repeat His sacrifice, but we can learn to appreciate it. If I would just let he Holy Spirit write that mind of Christ in me. It is encouraging that such self-emptying love is possible.
Two People Who Knew Something About Love I could wish myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh. Romans 9:3,4 So long as our predominant motive for following Christ is our own desire for personal security, we will fail of receiving the mind of Christ. If You will forgive their sin but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written. Exodus 32:32 The children of Israel murmured against Moses, rebelled against Moses, threatened to kill Moses.
The Old Man Has One Last Stand The last bastion he holds is covetousness of reward and its natural bulwark -- fear of personal loss. Our first parents knew no fear until the entrance of sin. Genesis 3:6 good for food, pleasing to the eye, desirable to make one wise But what we call love is not love if fear is its foundation. Self-interest is not the basis of genuine love, which is agape. The search for one s own security is the reverse of genuine love. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear . 1 John 4:18
Our Basic Problem of Anxiety SICKNESS OF THE MIND PREVAILS EVERYWHERE. NINE TENTHS OF THE DISEASES FROM WHICH MEN SUFFER HAVE THEIR FOUNDATION HERE. Counsels on Health p. 324 How is fear cast out? Galatians 2:20 Through the crucifixion of the old man . Anxiety is a fear that is beneath the surface: loneliness, poverty, abandonment, rejection, death Hebrews 2:14-15 says Jesus came to deliver those who through fear of death were subject to bondage.
You Can Respond to Christs Love The ability to appreciate His love is built in to your human nature. ROMANS 12:3 GOD HAS GIVEN TO EVERYONE THE CAPACITY FOR FAITH This simple response of our humanity is all God has ever asked from anyone. Lukewarm response is inevitable when Satan succeeds in obscuring the reality of the cross. Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians Christ was set forth before you evidently crucified.
All Share in His Death 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-15 IF ONE DIED FOR ALL THEN ALL DIED HEREIN IS POWER TO CHANGE THE MOST CHANGELESS THING A SELF-CENTERED HUMAN MIND. Also, all share responsibility for His death. Desire of Ages pg. 745 The cross is the missing element.
