The word of the cross

"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1Co.1:18). Its power transforms us from continuing to sin. In these days, to say that the death of one Man 2000 years ago is the way of salvation for us looks very ridiculous to people. The question appears to be valid, till we realise that it was the death of the Son of God, and that this was proved by His coming back to life. Then we see that this was a plan from God who was dealing with man's sin with justice and mercy. The more we understand God's word, the better we understand His plan for our salvation, and see that there is no other way by which we can be saved.

For many Christians, the cross refers only to the one on which Jesus died. They think about it, and celebrate it on Good Friday every year, and some people even travel to Jerusalem to see the spot. But there is also another side to the cross which is important for us to know. When we submit to the fact that when Jesus died on the cross our sins were placed on Him and His death was the punishment for our sins, God responds by changing our heart and giving us a new heart (Ez.36:26,27). In that sense, our old way of life died on the cross, and our new heart aligns with God. Now we no longer want to sin, but we seek God's grace to overcome in our temptations. Our dying with Jesus on the cross has accomplished this transformation of our heart, and now it is to be seen in the practical way we live every day (Ro.6:7,8,11).

The life we now live, or ought to live, is where we live the life of Christ in us, doing His will. What opposes us when we want to live like this is our old sinful flesh, which has all selfish, sinful desires in it (Ga.5:17). Until we deny ourselves these desires, we cannot do God's will. Then we will not become like Jesus in His character no matter which verses we hold to or how much we pray. That is why Jesus said very clearly, "And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?'" (Lk.9:23-25).

This word of the cross appears to be foolish for many Christians because they were given to believe that Jesus has done everything for them, and that they just have to receive everything by grace. Some of them have been taught to dream big and live out their lives, and self-denial is not something they are familiar with. Some teachers are there who quickly call out any mention of self-denial on our part as 'works' to earn salvation. But the fact will remain that without taking up our cross daily with the determination to die to our selves and then obeying Jesus in everything, we cannot say that we are following Him or being disciples.