Victory Through the Crossনমুনা

THE POWER OF THE CROSS BRINGS VICTORY

INTRODUCTION 

As we know that towards Christ’s death on the cross are the important events written in the Bible. This story does not only prove that Jesus Christ loves the sinners, but He is also powerful to forgive and save people from eternal punishment. One of the criminals mocked Jesus, and the other ones asked for God’s grace. That criminal said, “Jesus remember me when You come into Your Kingdom” (Luke 23:42). These are the words spoken from a sinful man who needs the grace of salvation from Lord Jesus. 

Let us look at this story, that criminal did not ask Jesus to stop the pain on the cross or did other miracles. As at that time Jesus was well known by many people as a person who could perform wonders and miracles. That person did not ask Jesus to perform miracles towards the upcoming death, in fact, he asked “Jesus remember me…”, why is that so? Because he knew that his need was  forgiveness for his sin. This is the first step for everyone, which is asking for sin forgiveness in order to be reunited with God. The first requirement is to be sanctified from all sins and purified with God’s grace. Lord Jesus has provided all those through His death on the cross. 

SHARING

So what else that we are going to receive when we experience the grace of forgiveness from Christ’s cross? Let us learn 3 important points from Lord Jesus’s declaration in Luke 23:43.

1. Lord Jesus is the way to salvation

Jesus’ declaration on “Truly I tell you,…” has shown that He had the power to forgive and guarantee our salvation. Maybe this moment or in the future the people will ask about Jesus’s sovereignty. That’s applying the same to the famous wise men in the past who doubted Jesus was God. 

But if we look at Jesus’s declaration in this story, He was introducing Himself to the world that He was able to save people from the doom punishment due to sins. His declaration shows the authority that He had as almighty God. Lord Jesus is the only way that brings us to be reunited with God. 

In the past, we were not able to enjoy the fellowship with God’s presence because blocked by sins. However, if we asked for Christ’s forgiveness, thus we are able to come back into fellowship with God. He is a God who forgives and forgets all of our sins. His unlimited love is available for everyone who comes and responds to Him. 

Salvation happens when God’s amazing grace meets with our faith as a sinful man. Therefore, we need to take a step of faith to welcome the grace with our believing heart to Jesus. 

2. Salvation is provided right now

The time of salvation that God provides is right now, when we respond to His grace therefore God answers “today you will be…” This means that  salvation happens when we believe Jesus as our Savior. 

When we ask Lord Jesus to forgive and save us, everything is finished over there. Our separation with God will change the man to be able to have an intimate relationship with him. Believe that Jesus will bring us to enter God’s presence and enjoy the blessing of salvation in Him. 

The word “will” is different than “hopefully”, “maybe”, or “perhaps”. The word “will” is a guarantee from God. God’s promise is His guarantee. When He says it will definitely happen. 

He is God who doesn’t break His words. The price of salvation is too expensive until it can’t be purchased. Not with our kindness and efforts. When receive Jesus, at that time we also receive salvation. 

3. The confirmation to live with God

So how to confirm if we have lived in that salvation? Lord Jesus answered with a question. “you will be together with Me…”

This is the confirmation that God is with us as long as we are in His grace. The word “together” is the relationship with God. 

Salvation also means God’s presence in our lives. As long as we live, is not possible to have life tests, hardships, and other types of problems. But that is God’s promises to them who have receive the salvation that His presence has completed it perfectly. God will bring us into victories because God is in front of us to fight against us. 

Christ’s work is perfect for man, not only the salvation miracles that He has given but also the guarantee of His presence and mighty hands. Thus that’s the biggest joy we have when we accept Him as God and Savior. The joy is irreplaceable with other things in our life because the joy of the believers come from our faith in Jesus. 

CLOSING

Christ’s Death and resurrection is the proof that He is a powerful God to forgive and save us the sinners. His resurrection also represents the birth of churches as God’s ambassador on this earth. The world that has not known the grace of salvation to the churches as harvest fields to introduce the works of the cross. 

We are the sinners who have received God’s immeasurable love and our calling is to declare God’s greatest love for the world. There is a power in the cross: the power to restore, heal and break free. We can show this power to the world so that they can know the Giver of that power is Jesus Christ.