Today’s exhortation – The CROSS
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”” (I Corinthians 1:18-19). God turned the cross which was the biggest symbol of fear in the known world for the excruciating way people were made to die on it and made it the biggest symbol of love and of hope! The image which once inspired fear and defeat now inspires faith and victory. It was at the cross that, God erased the charges that were brought against us by the written laws God had established. He took the charges away by nailing them to the cross. He stripped the rulers and authorities of their power and made a public spectacle of them as He celebrated His victory in Christ. (Colossians 2:14-15).
The sight of the cross screamed “Guilty!” But now it screams “GRACE!” The power of the cross is that we know that we’re no longer slaves to fear and to death, because we are children of God. It was at the cross that demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). And because of the cross, the weak can say, “I am a mighty man.” (Joel 3:10). Because of the cross, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” (Romans 16:20). Amen
Francis Hans-Jorie