Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Cross: More than Our Sins Forgiven

"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 10-12)

People know that Jesus died on the Cross, they know that He died for us.

But what did He die on the Cross for for us specifically?
Yes indeed, He died for our sins:

"13When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

14having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

15When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him." (Colossians 2: 13-15)

Colossians could not make it plainer. Jesus died cancelling out all our sins -- all of  them!

Most people do not even know this part.

Yet not only were the sins put away forever, the cause of our sin and shame, the source of reproach is taken away -- the law, because Jesus fulfilled all of its divine requirements.

When Jesus died on the Cross, He also took away the curse of the law:

"13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3: 13-14)

If Jesus had been stoned to death, or he had been stabbed with a sword, His blood would have indeed cleansed us from all sin, but the curse, the consequences of breaking the law would not have been removed from us.

Yet the New Covenant which Jesus cut with the Cross is far greater than even this:

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 10-12)

This New Covenant rests in God living in us and guiding us. He is our God, He protects us and cares for us in all things. He teaches us to know Him.

Wow!

Why is this not preached?

I am telling you right now: The Cross that Christ died on, He died there not just to clear away your sins, He died to take away the curse, and died that you may live, that you may live in Him, and that He may live in you and guide you and bless you.


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