THE CROSS OF CHRIST

"The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God" -- 1 Corinthians 1:18

Devotion 13 of 13

CONCLUSION

The postulate of Scripture is that those in Christ have died with Him. "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died" (2 Cor 5:14, NKJV). Their identity with Christ's death is both legal and experiential--recognized by God and realized by them. Their responsiveness to the world order has been supplanted by receptivity to God. "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" (Rom 6:3 RSV). "But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him" (Rom 6:8 RSV). It is not possible to possess the benefits of the cross without you yourself dying to the dominance of "this present evil world," form which Jesus died to deliver us (Gal 1:4).

Our death is not automatic

Our death with Christ is no more automatic than His. He Himself entered into His death, and we enter into ours. He gave Himself, and we give ourselves. Jesus gave up His life, and we give up ours. This is expressed in a most effective way by Paul. "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" (Phil 3:8-10 RSV).

Dying with Christ can be viewed from Mt. Sinai, or from Mt. Zion. From Sinai, it is seen as a painful relinquishment of everything you like. From Zion, it is seen as a joyful release from all that drags men into perdition. From the Sinaitic point of view, dying with Jesus is something you SHOULD do. From Mount Zion, it is something that believers Do. As it is written, "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal 5:24, NKJV).

Dying with Jesus is a blessing to those who have seen the futility of this world and living in the flesh. It is also perceived as the appointed means of identifying with Christ. As it is written, "Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him" (Rom 6:8).

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the cross of Christ, and all that was accomplished in it. I also praise You that I can participate in that cross. In the name of Jesus, strengthen me to do so for Your glory.

-- Tomorrow, New Series: GOD IS LIGHT --