By the Cross
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY...  “…God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross…” Colossians 2:13-15 NIV
As I read once again Paul’s letters to the churches in Asia Minor, his focus on the work of Christ is clear and consistent. We see admonitions on how they are to live their lives in fellowship with each other as believers and in their relationships with others. However, at the heart of it is a foundation of understanding what the gospel message means for them and its impact on their life.
In these powerful verses above Paul again declares “God made you alive in Christ.” What is important to see is that this did not happen through self-improvement or some kind of revelation or insight. Paul states, “When you were dead in your sins…God made you alive with Christ.” (Colossians 2:13 NIV)
This reminds me of Paul’s words, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV) In the cross, we see God taking the initiate. Even though what was happening was not understood. Even though people were not seeking God and a way to know Him better. He is the One who initiates. Just as God initiated creation of this world, He initiates a new creation through bringing spiritual life to all who receive Him.
The work of the cross is summarized in three basic, yet important declarations:
1 – Sins forgiven
2 – Debts cancelled
3 – Enemies disarmed
Sin brings the sentence of death. Scripture declares, “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23) But Christ through the cross died in our place, He paid our debt for sin. This is captured in the words of an old song, “He paid a debt He did not owe;Â I owed a debt I could not pay…Â My debt He paid upon the cross…Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.”
One of the most humbling experiences in life is when someone pays a debt for you and frees you from worry, concern and the bondage that comes with that burden. How much more should it impact our life when we realize what Christ has done for us in coming as Emmanuel (God with us) identifying with us and dying in our place.
In the cross Christ also defeated our spiritual enemy (Satan and his demons) that would assail our lives. Jesus conquered temptation, He pushed through the agony of the cross, He gave His life and in so doing what looked like defeat in the natural was a huge “win” in the spiritual realm.
That means we are free from guilt and condemnation. It means that Christ’s power and Spirit in our lives enables us to have the spiritual resources to be victorious over all that would assail.
No wonder Paul wanted believers of his day and ours to make this commitment, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6,7 NIV)
Prayer for today… Lord, thank You for sins forgiven, debts canceled and spiritual enemies disarmed. May we  have the wisdom and insight into all that has been granted to us by Your death on the cross. May we live our lives rooted in You, built up in You and strengthened in our faith.