In the Shadow of the Cross

January 2004 -- Back to current issue and main Archives

First of all I must confess that I am not an ordained preacher nor a seminary student. Never have I spoken in public about Christ. However, it is my overwhelming desire to tell you of the Good

News of God’s salvation, through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Is Jesus foreign to you? You’ve probably heard of Him. You may have even attended a church or two. The name of Jesus makes most people uncomfortable. I assume that aspiring to be a follower of His is not on your top ten things to do.
I’m not going to try to convince you. Like I said, it’s my desire to tell about God’s salvation through Christ. It is up to God’s Spirit to open your heart and incline you to reaction.

It is God’s desire to save you. God gave Himself to us, in the person and in the divinity of Jesus. Why did he do this?
One word: Love.
Most people feel that Jesus can’t possibly love them because they’re a sinner and have nothing to offer Jesus in return for their sinfulness. This is precisely reason Jesus was born, to save us from our sins.

The concept of sin, may also be new to you, especially if God is a far off idea. With that, sin is a subject you don’t think about, at least you don’t call it ‘sin’. Most of us know when we have done wrong, this is an innate feeling. However, we don’t label it as sin. God calls it sin. Sin is the barrier we build that separates us from God. Yes, we are all sinners.

If you feel like you’re going in circles. Life isn’t making sense and the scenery hasn’t changed. Possibly you may be thinking God has no desire for you, or doesn’t care about you. Well, my friend, you’re wrong! God has a great love for you and me. How do I know this? Because God says it in His Word. Read for yourself.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins”
(NIV) 1 John 4:10

God has a wonderful plan. In this great divine plan, He wishes to bring lost sinners back to Him. He wishes to have these sinners, you and me, love Him with all their hearts, minds and souls.
“ This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference for all have sinned and fell short of the Glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (NIV)
Romans 3. 22-24

So now what? First, you and I will need to realize that we are sinners. No, you don’t have to be a blood-thirsty murderer to be a sinner. However, we do have to acknowledge our own sinfulness.

Secondly, you and I will now need to admit we need a savior. God in his foreknowledge of the history of the world provided for this. His provision was Himself. God in the flesh- Jesus.

Third, we will have to cultivate our belief in Jesus and count the cost of this belief. Jesus came to die for us, to pay the penalty of our sins. Jesus did this by an agonizing and horrible death on this cross. The cross was not an accident or some fluke of history. God planned for it before the earth was ever created.

Fourthly, having a real faith in Jesus is a choice, not a feeling. It requires more than mumbling a few words, or giving some testimony. Faith will require a sincere, honest, heart-wrenching, contrite confession and acceptance of Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life.
“For whoever wants to save his live will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose of forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of Me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (NIV)
Luke 9: 24-26

Believing, and simply believing in Jesus is only the first step. Making Him Lord of your life is the subsequent steps.
Taking these steps is a life long journey.

But the beginning of this journey does not require any meritorious deeds on your part. Salvation is a free gift from God as a result of your faith in Jesus.
“For it is by Grace you have been saved, through faith and not this from yourselves, it is a gift from God- not by works, so that no one can boast” (NIV)
Ephesians 2:8-9

God in His amazing power of grace will restore you through restorative death of Jesus. Jesus’ death on the cross was the apex of history. His death was for you and me. Recognize that. Realize that. Accept that. Manifest that reality in your life today, now!

I sincerely hope that you will find strength and encouragement from this above message, which is God’s Good News.
Peter also encourages us.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness in His wonderful light” (NIV)
1 Peter 2:9

Jesus came to save you and I from our sinfulness and to restore us to our initial relationship with God, our Father and Creator. Jesus can change your life here on earth, and your eternal life.

What do you do from this point? In all things make Jesus the Lord of your life. Get to know Jesus more intimately. Pray often. Read his word, meditate and focus on it. Does this mean God will be your magical genie, and life will be a bed of roses? No, on the contrary. The cost is high. But the reward is great. It is being with God forever, your sins wiped away, and giving honor and praise to God forever. What better reward is there?

Trust and accept in the fact that Jesus is our only Savior. He paid the ultimate price for our sins. The gift from God is free to everyone who will accept it. Salvation through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross will not be taken from you once you accept it. As your life goes on, your days will continue to be hot, sometimes you’ll get burned. However, you can find relief and comfort in the shadow of the Cross.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW IINTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copywrite 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires permission of the International Bible Society.

I would be happy to hear from you. Please send your emails to jerry@shadowofthecross.us