The Cross Is How

You walk as an enemy of the Cross when you do it, erecting walls of protection and proclaiming commandments for control. Instead of receiving life, you receive death. Instead of acknowledging God and your desperate need for Him, instead of being thankful for what He has so graciously given. Instead, you stand proud. Protecting your one self and taking control of your one life, thinking you’ve earned His one free gift, you walk as an enemy of the Cross.

Oh, don’t do it! Don’t think you’ve got it, you’ve done it, and you’ve made it. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

It is nothing you’ve done. So do not become proud. Flee from it!

You stop trusting in God’s kindness when you think you’ve done it. You stop trusting in God’s grace and mercy towards you when you think you’ve made it. You stop trusting in the very love of God when you think you’ve got it all figured out and stand proud.

Oh, do not do it! You only walk as an enemy of the Cross when you do.

Remember, everything that the Cross is is everything that life is, to you. Do you not see it? Do you not know it? The Cross really is everything that is life, making the way for you, showing you the way, and becoming for you the way to life.

The Cross is how surrender happens. Surrendering to God’s will (Matthew 26:39) was exactly how Christ freely shed His blood apon the Cross.

The Cross is how humility comes. Coming down in humility (Philippians 2:8) and perfect trust in God was exactly how Christ allowed mere men to hang Him there apon that Cross (Isaiah 53:7).

The Cross is how love is known. Trusting in perfect love that casts out fear (1 John 4:18) and acting in perfect love by fully taking your sin penalty (1 John 4:10) is forever how Christ was obedient to death on the Cross.

That’s how the Cross of Christ becomes life to you, because the Cross shows you the way of Christ, and that’s exactly what life is, Christ Jesus Himself, the Way and the Truth and the Life. So you, after being united with Christ in His death, can walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4-5), united with Him, no longer an enemy of the Cross!

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“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.” - Philippians 3:18 ES

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” - Romans 6:4-5 ESV