The Cross

 

The Cross

Colossians 2:6-15

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

The love of God is within us, no matter where we may go in the world. God sent His Son Jesus to save us. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. There are many of us who have not found rest in Christ, because we’ve been programmed by the world’s philosophies. The world only cares about the world and it’s external things. It doesn’t care about the soul or heart of a person.

Majority of people are looking out for themselves and are only concerned about the things that directly affect them. What kind of car will they drive, how many pairs of shoes do they have, how much money will they earn in their career, what golf course will they golf at, etc. The list is endless when it comes to our self-indulgences.

And yet, there are so many broken souls living behind the excess, privileged, influential and the poor class. Life is passing by us and the hand on the clock is moving swiftly. The people who we come across in our paths, if we would pay closer attention to their eyes, we could see more than the physical by discerning the energy that we get from them. Oftentimes, we can feel their sadness, pain, suffering, hurt, and fear.

It is a heavy burden to bear carrying the pain around in life. This kind of life is filled with brokenness, mistrust, agony, fear, and inner anger. Truth is we are not happy, if our soul is full of darkness. The weight and pressure of living can become a vicious cycle and putting on a façade adds even more weight, because it robs us from being transparent. People only see what we want them to see, but inside we are dying to be loved, and have peace and rest. Everything that we need is in Christ.

As we reflect and ponder about our lives, we must be honest about who do we know that loves us unconditionally, if we have nothing to our name? What if we could no longer do for ourselves who could we count on for the rest of our lives? There are not many who would be able to fulfill these shoes. Because realistically human beings are fallible and there is only so much time and love that we have to offer to someone else, because we are mortal beings trying to prove our love. It would be exhausting and unbearable for another person to carry such a responsibility and weight.

Let us ponder on God’s Son Jesus. He is the only one who sacrificed His life for our sins. He did it for us because He loves us. The love that we are looking for in the world will fail us. But God’s love is perfect love. His blood was poured out for many, and He died for the sins of the world. Matthew 26:27-28 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

There is no one who could have bore this cup to take on the sins of the world and love people who are guilty of sin, but Jesus. Christ’s mercies, forgiveness of sins, grace, redemption, and eternal love for us proved that He is the Son of God. The condition of our hearts and minds must change to love God. 1 John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

There is no human that can do what Christ did for us. The Word of the Lord teaches us how we must come to Jesus and humble ourselves. John 19:19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Everyone who was there on that day witnessed His death and suffering. Their tears and pain were not in vain, because He rose three days later according to eyewitnesses.

We must pray to our heavenly Father to know His will for our lives. There is more to come according to the scriptures. Jesus is coming back to gather His saints. We know that He is risen. Therefore, now is the time to examine our hearts and repent. There will be a day of judgement for every soul that lived. Every message about the cross is casting light upon the darkness that has blinded the minds and hearts of the wicked.

There is a spiritual war going on between God and Satan. There are two kingdoms: kingdom of God and kingdom of darkness. Jesus is Lord. Christ is risen and our Savior lives. His blood is our covenant, and we are the redeemed saints. The kingdom of darkness where Satan rules is after our souls to kill, to steal and to destroy us. He is the accuser of the brethren and is upset with us because we are God’s beloved. The cross is where our Savior died and where we stand in Christ.

We must cry out to God and pray for His help. We need wisdom, discernment, knowledge and understanding of the scriptures to withstand the warfare and to rebuke the enemy. The gospel is the good news that we must meditate on so that we will not be deceived by religion and its traditions. The written Word of God is the foundation of what we believe, and our faith must be in Christ not in the traditions of men, denominationalism, philosophies, new age and fly by night strange doctrines.

Our faith in Jesus is our anchor to follow the messages of Christ. We must pray to the Holy Spirit to teach us the Word and give Him our praises and thanksgiving. He loves us enough to dwell in our earthen vessels until the day of redemption. We must surrender all and come as we are to Christ. Now is the time to live and turn from our old mindsets that held us bound to chasing material wealth, ungodly living, and soul ties, letting go of ungodly relationships that do not encourage us in the Lord.

Christ defeated the powers of darkness and conquered death. We have inherited the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are reaping His benefits and mercies every day. Now let us pursue His love and righteousness and the things above. Colossians 3:2-4 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

 

Room at the Cross

 

No matter what you have done

There is still time to repent

As long as Jesus is on the throne

He has His arms out stretched

It doesn’t matter where you are

He is there in the spirit

You have a place to go

Talk to God right now

There’s enough grace that’s sufficient

There is no one that knows you better

Come if you will and surrender

Let not your heart be troubled

The Blood that was shed is your visa

God’s kingdom is spiritual with no conditions

When you bow and pray let the tears fall

That’s why He cries when you cry

There is infinite love and mercy

Today will you welcome God inside your heart?

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”