| The C in CROSS is for CHRIST.
Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross.
The Bible says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
There are three things we need to remember about Christ:
- First, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is God. Jesus forgave sins, healed the sick, raised the dead, received worship and after he died on the cross, he rose again just as he promised.
- Second, Jesus was sinless. The angel Gabriel told Mary that the Holy One to be born would be called the Son of God. On one occasion Jesus asked the religious leaders if they could prove him guilty of sin. They could not. Jesus was sinless all the days of his life.
- Third, Jesus died on the cross.
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The R in CROSS is for REASON.
Why did Jesus die on the cross?
The reason Christ died is for sin.
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous (that was Jesus) for the unrighteous (that was us) to bring you to God. (1 Peter 3:18a)
For all have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory." (Romans 3:23)
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| The O in CROSS is for OUTCOME.
The Bible, our conscience, and the Law of God (Ten Commandments) testify we have fallen short of God's standard. All are guilty before God.
The outcome of sin is death.
The Bible says, "For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23a)
Wages are what we earn. Wages are what we deserve. If someone hired you to work on day for $100, at the end of the day, he would owe you $100. That is what you earned and that is what you deserve. The outcome or wages of our sin is death. This is bad news.
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The S in CROSS is for SUBSTITUTE.
Jesus was our substitute on the cross. Jesus' sacrifice displays God's loving mercy and his righteous justice as no other action could.
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Jesus paid the sin-debt that we could not pay. God then raised him from the dead to demonstrate that the debt was paid and that Jesus is exalted as Lord over all.
Suppose you received your credit card bill and it was so large you could not pay it. Suppose your creditors took you to court and the judge found you guilty and sentenced you to prison until the debt was paid. How is the debt going to be paid while you sit in jail?
Then, just when all seems hopeless, a stranger walks up and asks the judge if he could pay your debt. The judge lets him pay and you go free. How would you feel about this person who paid your debt?
When Christ became the substitute for sin, he satisfied the righteousness and justice of God and demonstrated the love and mercy of God. Christ's resurrection displays the power of his Lordship, Jesus offers what he has done as a gift from God. How do you feel about Jesus Christ in light of what he has done? This gift, like any gift, must be received. That brings us to the last S in CROSS.
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| The S in CROSS is for SALVATION.
Because Jesus is our substitute, he is the only one who can offer salvation. Salvation includes forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life.
But how is this possible?
To have forgiveness and eternal life you must believe and receive.
To believe, the Bible says, "That if you confess with your mouth, that "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).
To confess Jesus as Lord means you turn from sin (repent) and surrender control of your life to Jesus. To believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead means you are trusting in all that Jesus Christ is and has done for you.
To receive Christ by faith is simply trusting Christ alone for salvation. The Bible says, "...To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
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Prayer:
Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Christ died on the cross for my sin and then arose. I now confess you as Lord and trust you alone for my salvation. According to your Word I believe you and receive you by faith. Thank you for the free gift of eternal life. Amen.
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Congratulations!
You have just made the most important decision of your life! Please find and tell a Christian friend about the important decision you have made. Follow Christ in believer's baptism and church membership. Grow in your faith by reading the Bible, praying, and attending Sunday School and church. At church you'll find others who will love and support you as you grow in the faith.
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