Posts

Our Position in the Cross of Christ

***Forgive the repetition. Romans 6:3–4 is speaking about our position in the Cross of Christ. It tells us that we were baptized into Jesus’ death. Since we were baptized into His death, we were also baptized into His burial and into His resurrection, to walk in newness of life. We died in Christ. We were buried with Him. Our old man stayed in the ground, and we were resurrected into newness of life as a new creation. Old things passed away, and all things have become new. This is our position in the Cross of Christ. This is why we must have Faith in the Cross of Christ. When I speak of the Cross of Christ, or His Finished Work, I am speaking of Jesus’ death, His burial, and His resurrection. This is our position: we were baptized into His death, we were buried with Him, and our old man stayed in the ground. We were resurrected into newness of life as a new man—a new creation in Christ Jesus. The slate has been wiped clean. When God looks at us, He sees an innocent, blameless C...
Post a Comment
Read more

Light Rejected!

Studying again in the book of Ezekiel , I’ve been reflecting on how the Holy Spirit, through the prophet, spoke of the destruction of Assyria and Egypt . In my reading of the Swaggart Commentary , considerable time is devoted to these nations—nations that had direct dealings with Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem . They had opportunity to know who the true God—the God of Israel—was, yet they rejected Him. The Pharaohs began to declare themselves gods. They continued in idol worship. Though they were given light, they chose darkness. And when light is rejected, eventually light is removed . As I considered this, my thoughts turned to America . We were once a great beacon of God’s light—spreading the Word of God throughout our nation and across the world. But look at where we are now. We are in a very dark place. We were given much light, yet that light has grown dim. Not only as a nation, but even within many churches, God’s light—His Word, His way—has been rejected. And God’s way is Jes...
Post a Comment
Read more

Family Curses

I am here once again to offer a brief food for thought. The Word of God tells us, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” I approach this with humility and reverence, having no desire to “touch” those whom God has anointed to minister the Gospel. I would be the first to stand in the line labeled “nowhere near perfect.” Each of us has spiritual leaders whom we look to for guidance in the Word of God. At the same time, it is important to remember that our leaders are human, just as we are, and therefore capable of misunderstanding or misinterpreting Scripture. This reality does not diminish their calling—but it also does not absolve us, as Believers, from our responsibility to seek understanding of God’s Word for ourselves. For this reason, it is vital that we bring our Bibles and follow along as the Word is taught, ensuring that the whole Word of God is being presented. We have all, at times, misquoted or paraphrased Scripture in ways that unintentiona...
Post a Comment
Read more

Come Back To Your First Love: The Cross of Christ

We are all part of the human race. Every man, woman, and child on the Earth belongs to it. For those who believe—those who seek to be Christlike —our belief is in God. And the one thing that connects us to Him, the one thing that made reconciliation, restoration, and reunion with God possible, is the Cross of Christ . We believe that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins. Through that act, we became the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus —through Jesus and what He accomplished on the Cross of Calvary. In believing and accepting what was done for us there, something profound took place: we were clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Himself. Now, when God looks at us, He does not see our sin; He sees the righteousness of the perfect Lamb who was slain, blotting out every transgression. I know I may sound like a broken record, but this is where it all happened for us . This is it. The Cross of Christ is where our focus must remain. It is where our faith must be anchored. A...
Post a Comment
Read more

Half of the Truth is not the Gospel

The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:23 , “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Gentiles foolishness.” Paul, the author of the epistles— Romans; 1 & 2 Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; 1 & 2 Thessalonians; 1 & 2 Timothy; Titus; and Philemon —was unwavering in the message he proclaimed: Jesus Christ and Him crucified . With this in mind, it is worth asking: when we read Paul’s letters, should we not read them through the lens of the Finished Work of the Cross ? When Paul speaks of faith, belief, righteousness, and life in Christ, is he not pointing us to faith in what Christ accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection? When we return to his writings with Christ crucified as our central focus—and with an understanding of our position in Him—we gain clarity and depth in understanding the message Paul preached. The Word of...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Story of the Bible - Jesus and The Cross!

The Cross of Christ As we approach the Christmas Holiday, we will all think about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And yes, I understand that December 25th might not be the exact day of His birth, but what is important is that He was born, He is who the Word of God says that He is, and He accomplished that which none of us could do for ourselves—defeating sin. Throughout the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, various events, rituals, and individuals serve as types and shadows that foreshadow the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. These elements point to the need for a permanent atonement for sin, which is found in Jesus alone. The story of the Bible is the Cross of Christ! It is that important . The Cross of Christ is the object upon which the Word of God is centralized and built. If God deemed it so important to build and centralize His Word on this one object, then why would we not place our faith there as well? Thi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Thankfulness - The Message of the Cross!

Thankful for the Message of the Cross Today is a day that we enjoy family, friends, and food. It is a time to rest and recoup, as well as a time to reflect on the things that we are truly grateful and thankful for. I am thankful that I am still here among the living, and for my husband, children, and extended family. Some reflect on being thankful for careers, travel, and life in general. With all of these in mind, I have also been reflecting on my thankfulness for hearing and being able to understand the Message of the Cross. It has made such an impact on my life. I want to share some things from the great book—the Bible—that show the importance of having our faith placed in the Finished Work of Christ. Before I begin, I want to stress that everything Christ Jesus did and said is of utmost importance. However, it was at the Cross that God’s Plan of Redemption for all who would believe was fulfilled. Faith in God’s Redemptive Plan is what saves us, justifies us, and sa...
Post a Comment
Read more