THE CROSS OF CHRIST IS OUR RULE OF LIFE
Some poor people go to Mt. Calvary to get salvation, and then run back to Mt. Sinai to get sanctification. They look to Christ to give
them life and look to Moses to rule their life. That will never do. I rejoice
to find both salvation and sanctification in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ. The cross of Christ is our source of life and our rule of life. How can
I, as a believer, live in this world for the glory of my God? To find the
answer to that questions I must go to the cross of the
Lord Jesus Christ. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his
steps" (I Pet. 2:21).
Children of God, we are not under the law. We do not
need rules, regulations, threats of punishment, or promises of reward to
motivate and govern our hearts. In order to live in this world for the glory of
Gods we must simply follow the example of that One who hung upon the cursed
tree, bearing our sins. When I see Christ hanging upon the cross as my
Substitute, I see that SELF-SACRIFICE is essential to honoring God -
(Luke 14:33). There is a battle for
me to fight, a trial for me to endure, a service for me to performs
and a cross for me to bear. I cannot serve God without self-sacrifice and
self-denial. As Christ hangs upon the cursed tree, bearing our sins, he sits
before us an example of WILLING OBEDIENCE to our heavenly Father. Our
Savior willingly obeyed his Father's will, even unto death - (Isa. 50:5-7).
This is the way we must serve God. God will never accept any gift, any worship,
or any services unless it comes from a willing heart - (II Cor. 8:12). The cross also shows us our Lord's DEDICATION
AND PERSEVERANCE. He not only agreed to bear our sins and promised to die
for us, he actually did it. God requires dedication and perseverance from all
who follow Christ. Our Lord's death upon the cross also sits before us an
example of real LOVE and patient SUBMISSION to the will of God.