Abundant Grace Fellowship
Do You Know What Happened On The Cross? Parts 1 & 2
Do You Know What Happened on the Cross? Part 1 By Pastor J.D. Link Abundant What actually happened on the cross? What transpired on that cursed tree outside the gates of the city of Because people do not know what happened on the cross, they, as a result, do not know their position in Christ. They do not know or understand their status as adopted children of The Most High God (Rom 8:15, Gal 4:5). They do not comprehend the perfection of their spirits (Heb 10:14, 12:23), or that they are fully accepted by God (Eph 1:6). They do not understand that they are priceless to God (1Cor 6:20, 7:23), that they are at peace with Him (Rom 5:1, Eph 2:14), and that they have unlimited access to Him (Rom 5:2, Eph 2:18, Heb 4:16). Most Believers would say they know what happened on the cross, which is that Christ died for our sins (1Jon 3:5). That is certainly a true statement, but it is far from being a complete statement. He did so much more then that: but let’s just say for a moment that that’s all Jesus did. Do we even understand that properly? What does it mean that Christ died for our sins? Does it mean He died for all of our sins, or just some of them? Does it mean He died for our past sins only, or for our future sins as well? Does it mean that sin is not an issue between me and God anymore, or is it still something that separates me from God? What exactly does it mean? We must understand the completeness of Jesus’ work on the cross. He said “it is finished” (Jn 19:30). You see, Jesus became our sin, so we could become His righteousness (1Cor 1:30, 2Cor 5:21). Our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12). God will not impute sin to us as Believers (Rom 4:7-8). We have been forgiven all trespasses ( God loves us so very much, and has done so much for us: but we have to get into The Word of God to find out what He’s done. The Word of God is like a treasure map that leads to trillions of dollars in gold and jewels. It isn’t any good to you until you read it, and then follow it’s instructions. If you don’t read it, or if you read it and don’t follow it’s directions, you will never discover the treasure it is pointing you towards. You may want to blame the map maker, or the one who buried the treasure; but they’re not the one’s to blame. The choice is ours to make. Get into The Bible and discover what treasure God has for you. Find out what happened on the cross, and your standing now with God because of it. I believe our Father is grieved that His kids are not living nearly as close to Him as they could live. He has paid a priceless price for us to have perfect fellowship with Him like Adam and Eve had before the fall. Our Father loves us so much and wants to fellowship with us, but because of our sin conscience and ignorance of the Word, we are unable to relate to God properly. I pray you will meditate on God’s Word everyday and find the treasure that it holds for you. We will talk more on this next week, Lord willing. Until next time, rejoice in the Lord! Do You Know What Happened on the Cross? Part 2 By Pastor J.D. Link Abundant Last week we started to look at the subject of the cross, and how important it is that we know exactly what happened there almost twenty centuries ago. By understanding what took place on that Roman stake, we can start to understand who we are in Christ, and our inheritance as covenant children of God. So many times we live a sub-standard Christianity, a relationship with God so far below what He has intended, simply because we don’t know or understand what Jesus did for us. That’s why I also mentioned last week that we must be students of the Word of God. Not students of men’s tradition, opinion, or fad: but students of God’s Holy Book, The Bible. U.S. Founding Father Noah Webster said “Education is useless without the Bible.” I agree wholeheartedly. If you want to be educated in true wisdom, the wisdom of God, then you want to have a working knowledge of The Scriptures. We highlighted last week the truth that our sins are totally forgiven in Christ; past, present, and future (Heb 10:12-18). Many Christians do not understand that. They think they have obtained temporary redemption. They think all there sins have been forgiven up to the point they get saved, but after that they need to do everything right, so they can stay saved. Unfortunately, that puts the whole burden of salvation back on you, so your right back to square one. It was for freedom Jesus made us free, not bondage (John 8:36, Rom 6:22). You get saved by the grace of God, and you stay saved by the grace of God (Gal 3:1-3). If salvation comes by the works of the law, then Christ died in vain (Gal 2:21). Of course you should confess and repent (turn 180 degrees) if the Holy Ghost convicts you (not condemns you {Rom 8:1}) of sin; but that is in order to give us victory (Rom 6:1-18) and keep our hearts soft (Heb 3:8), among other things, not to get “born-again again” (1Jn 2:1-2). The Bible says we have eternal redemption (Heb 9:12). Eternal means forever; and redemption means ransom paid; to buy out of slavery or bondage. So we have been bought out of slavery to sin (Rom 6:18), and out of the kingdom of darkness ( Another great thing the cross did is reconcile us to God (2Cor 5:18-21). We have peace with God through Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1). That is a wonderful truth. Imagine, we as Believers have perfect peace with The Father. We are not enemies, we are friends of God (Jn 15:13-15). You want to know something else? Jesus is not ashamed of us, because we are one with Him (Heb 2:11)! The Lord of all creation calls us brother (or sister). Getting a revelation of what happened on the cross will absolutely change your life! If you are reading this and haven’t committed your life to Christ, you are missing out big time. You haven’t lived until you’ve lived in a relationship with The Lord. This life on earth has little to offer, and what it does offer is temporary. What Jesus offers is eternal: eternal life, eternal peace, eternal joy, eternal love, eternal comfort, eternal victory. Do not neglect such a great salvation (Heb 2:3), it is too good to pass up. Call upon Jesus today, right now (2Cor 6:2), and you shall be saved (Rom 10:13). Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Rom 10:9). Become a disciple, a learner of Christ, who follows the teaching of The Master (Jn 8:31-32). Get into a Bible based church and be faithful. Read The Word everyday, and go to God in prayer in The Name of Jesus. I guarantee you, from the testimony of the Scriptures, and from my own personal experience, God will change your life. You will never regret the decision to follow Jesus. It’s time for you to get serious about Christ! Until next time, rejoice in the Lord!