The Power Of The Cross August 22, 2015

Romans 1:16-17      For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

Mark 8:38     If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

John 7:35     The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?

Acts 3:26     When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

Romans 2:9     There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;

The scene of the cross is a paradox. It demonstrates the power of God in what appears to be the weakest moment of His Son’s life. With hands and feet nailed to rough wood, Jesus looked totally helpless. Adding to that impression was the fact that He remained there while the crowd jeered, “If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:40).

Strength is not always revealed in a dramatic display; at times, it’s demonstrated in determined endurance. What power held Jesus on that cross, when with one spoken word He could have been free? It was divine love that kept Him there. With mankind’s eternal destiny at stake, Christ hung on the cross until our salvation was secured.

But the power of the cross didn’t end when Jesus finally finished His suffering, gave up His spirit, and died. His death thrust open the door of salvation to all people—those who walk through it by faith are forgiven for every sin and ensured a place in heaven.

Yet even after salvation, the power of the cross continues in believers’ lives. Millions of people have been transformed as a result of the Savior’s victory over sin and death. He sets us free from sinful habits and addictions, empowering us to live victoriously in His righteousness.

Have you let the cross do its work in your life? The Lord does not force its benefits on anyone. Rather, He offers them freely to all who will believe in Him and walk in His ways. With each step of faith that we take, the mighty work of God in us increases.