I don’t wear a lot of jewelry. I wear a wedding ring and sometimes my waterproof watch when I surf. I often see people wearing a cross on a necklace. I don’t know if its superstitious or a deeper understanding and appreciation for what it represents. Exactly, what did Jesus’ death on the cross really do? Well, quite a bit! At least for those who put their faith and trust in Him. For one, God promises us power over our indulgences and slavery to our basest instincts and fleshly desires. Second, His substitutionary death means I will never have to stand before my Holy God and pay for my ungodliness and sin. Wow! Third, the legal debt of sin (which is death) has been paid, so I will live eternally with God. Finally, all powers that stand against me (spiritually speaking, which include the devil and his demons) were publicly defeated. They only have power when I relinquish what Christ has given me by the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Maybe I should wear a cross… to remind myself of all it means and all that God’s love has done through Jesus, His Son.
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross Colossians 2:13-15 NIV
How has the forgiveness God has offered through the sacrificial act of Jesus facing death on the cross affected my life?
God, as this day begins- I remember afresh that my life is not my own. I have been bought with the price of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. So, whatever You call me to be and do, the answer is yes. What a beautiful reminder that Jesus made a spectacle of the enemy of my soul and triumphed over them. How counter-intuitive. This is the power of love. May I be like Him to some degree today as I reach out and love others in His name.
