The Cross-Part Two
The Cross and What Christ Did

In a previous Spiritual Nugget (The Cross and the Hatred of Satan) we
stated that Christ' physical suffering on the cross (and the beating and
mocking He received prior to the cross) are not the supreme sacrifices
that accomplished our salvation. 

In the last Spiritual Nugget (The Cross and What God Did to Christ) we
stated that The Father put all the sins (past, present, and future) of
mankind upon Christ. So what did God the Father do to Christ on the cross
that purchased our salvation?  "He [God] hath made Him [Christ] to be sin
for us, who knew no sin" (2 Cor 5:21). Jesus experienced the second death
when He died on the cross.

But this isn't the end of the story. Jesus rose from the grave! That is
the Good News! There is victory over death. Because Jesus rose from the
grave, those who trust in Him will not experience the second death. Only
the lost will experience eternal death. Believers experience eternal life. 

When pure, holy, sinless, divine Christ willfully became the sacrificial
lamb and shed His blood (Hebrews 9:22  "without the shedding of blood
there is no forgiveness"), took the sins of all mankind, died the second
death, and rose from the grave, he purchased our salvation.

Jesus paid the price of sin for ALL mankind. 1 Cor. 15: 22 "For as in Adam
all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive." Did you see what
scripture states? "ALL shall be made alive." But there is a stipulation.
The sinner must receive the free gift. In reality everyone has salvation,
but many choose to not partake of the blessing from God Almighty.

This is the simple gospel. Why do we make it so hard?

We stated in the beginning of this study that Christ suffering (that came
as a result of Satan's hatred) did not purchase our salvation. At the
same, as we finish this study, we need to state that scripture does state: 
"But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed." Is 53:5
This appears to be a contradiction. God did use Satan's hatred of Christ.
However, hopefully it is understood that unless Christ experienced the
second death and rose again, His stripes would not heal us. 

Next time we will share about "The Cross and the Blood of Jesus."

Previous Nuggets
Join our Inspirational Stories
Previous Stories
Join our Clean Jokes
Previous Jokes
Ask for Prayer
Spiritual Seekers Page
Become an In His Steps Member

SANDALS that share the gospel

Richard D. Dover
In His Steps Ministries
InHisSteps@creatingfutures.net

Unsubscribe: Go to www.creatingfutures.net/list.html