Introduction : In our physical life, our mother´s womb is the hometown where we were born. Likewise, in our spiritual life, the Cross of Calvary is our womb. Our spiritual life could not exist without the Cross of Calvary, just like our physical life could not exist without the womb of our mother.
1. The Cross on Calvary 1) Like a plus symbol of the Cross, Jesus and a sinner became one on the Cross (Ro 6:6-7) 2) The old self of Adam was crucified on the Cross (Gal 2:20, Eph 2:5-6) 3) Gave us a new person and life on the Cross (2Co 5:17, Ro 6:4)
2. The Cross is a confirmation of God´s love 1) The love that gave Jesus as a sacrificial offering for me (1Jn 4:10) 2) Jesus endured cruel pain for me (1) Forsaken by God due to sin (Mt 27:46) (2) Endured deep disgrace from the Jews (Mt 27:40-42) (3) Endured oppression from the devil (Jn 13:2, Mk 14:71, 15:14) (4) Endured severe physical pain (Mk 15:25, 33, 37-38) (5) Entered into the world of death for three days (Mk 9:31, 1Co 15:3-4)
3. The Cross alone is our pride 1) A place that God accomplished the salvation of humankind (Jn 3:16, 19:30) 2) A place that God disarmed the devil completely (Jn 12:31-32, Col 2:15) 3) A place that God dissolved the condemnation of the Law eternally (Gal 2:16, Col 2:14, Ro 8:1-2) 4) A place that God opened the gates of heaven (Heb 10:19-20, 2Co 5:1)
Conclusion : The Cross is our only hope, the way of salvation to heaven. We must embrace the Cross in our hearts while we are living on this earth, and we must worship and love the Cross forever in heaven. We must live a Cross-centered life on earth and a Cross-centered life in heaven.
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