God's Greatest Plus Sign

The Cross has been a major symbol for Christians for centuries. I like to think of the Cross as "God Greatest Plus Sign." Over the next few weeks we'll look at what has been "added unto us" due to this great plus sign we call the cross.

God's Greatest Plus Sign
Things Added Unto Us Because of the Cross

1. Power
"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity [fear], but of power and love and discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7 NASB

With Christ taking the cross, we have the gift of power. NOTE: This power is not our own strength, it's God's through us. Phil 4:13 says that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Without the Cross, without Christ, we have nothing. We have no power on our own. But because of the cross, because of Christ we have this unlimited power source to plug into 24/7/365. We don't do anything to earn this power source, all we must do is accept the free gift that the Cross has to offer.

2. Redemption
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses [sins], according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7 NASB

Redemption is the act of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Everyone has sinned. Everyone has error. Even the most "perfect" people mess up, it's just our nature. The problem is that sinning comes with a price. Romans 6:23 tells us that "the wages of sin is death..." Wow that got serious quickly. So we agree that we sin and we agree that sin comes with a price - death. The only way out of paying this price is to have someone redeem us, or forgive our sins. Thankfully it's not in God's plan for anyone to perish or die for our sins. His plan is to offer a gift of eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ. John 3:16 shows this plan "for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. That whoever believes in Him, will not perish [die for there sins] but have ever lasting life."

Disclaimer: These gifts or things added to us because of the Cross are offered to everyone. However not everyone will receive these because it takes faith. You must admit that you are a sinner [imperfect], believe that God sent His Son to die for the forgiveness of your sins. Believe that Jesus rose from the dead, and confess Christ as your Savior and Lord of your life. If you can do this then you can rest assured that you have all these promises from God and more.

Next week we will look at more blessings and promises added to us with the cross.

Grounded in Christ,

Bro. Austin