Category Archives: Cross

Bible, Cross, Death, Eternal Life, Jesus, Life, Promises, Scripture

DIED ONCE FOR ALL

ROMANS 6:9

“knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.”

As a lifelong Baptist I have heard the whole debate about crosses verses crucifixes. A lot of my Baptist friends will argue that since Christ is alive and was resurrected, we should not have a symbol of Him remaining on the cross. My Catholic friends see the crucifix as a reminder of the sacrifice of Christ on that cross. They know He is alive and resurrected. Honestly, I don’t have a problem with the crucifix. To me it’s no different than watching a movie about the crucifixion each year. Let’s just agree to celebrate His sacrifice. Amen?

Paul knew that Christ had been raised from the dead. He had spoken to Him on that road to Emmaus. He knew Jesus’ shed His divine blood once for all mankind. He knew He had defeated death and the grave. Today’s verse is a reminder to us all of the supreme sacrifice and our promise of eternal life with Him one day. Understand this – for a follower of Christ the dominion of death has expired.

APPLICATION

Two of the verbs in today’s verse need to be explained. “Is…to die again” is in the Present Indicative Active. That verb tense is an ongoing action of the verb. Paul is saying that Christ is no longer dying constantly. He is not suffering for us now. He is advocating for us. He’s at the right hand of the Father. He died ONCE for all.

The other verb to look at is translated as “is..master.” It literally reads in the Greek “no longer rules over.” It’s the Greek word kurieuó and is also in the Present Indicative Active. Strong’s defines it as “have dominion over, exercise lordship over.” Death is not ruling over Jesus. Just the opposite, in fact. He defeated death. When He was resurrected, death saw its last day of dominion over mankind. Those who follow Jesus walk in that victory.

Where are you today in regard to Christ’s death and resurrection? I pray you have made that decision to follow Him. If you have, walk in that victory that is yours through Jesus. There is absolutely no reason to feel defeated. Trust Him to show you each day how to handle those situations that test you. He wants to see you living victoriously, not defeated. Remember, He died and arose again for you. This is an eternal promise from the Father.

O God, I praise You that I have victory of sin and the grave because of Jesus’ shed blood and His victory over death.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Cross, Grace, Jesus, Righteousness, Royalty, Ruling, Scripture

WE WILL REIGN

ROMANS 5:17

“For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Are you aware that as a follower of Christ you will reign with Christ one day? We are told in 2 Timothy 2:12, “If we endure, we will also reign with Him;” But I’ve got good news. Our reign doesn’t start in heaven. It starts here. What? Yes! Look at our verse again. If we “receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness,” we “will…reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Woohoo! I am royalty! You are royalty!

Now, don’t get this picture in your head of sitting on a golden throne, holding a golden scepter and giving commands. That’s not what it means. Albert Barnes says, “It means that they shall be exalted to a glorious state of happiness in heaven; that they shall be triumphant over all their enemies; shall gain an ultimate victory; and shall partake with the Captain of their salvation in the splendors of his dominion above.”

APPLICATION

But what about here and now. When we receive these gifts from our Savior, we will finally experience real life. We will overcome all the griefs and sorrows because of the cross. We will rule over depression and despair because of Jesus. We will establish our boundaries through the blood of the Lamb. That’s reigning in life. That’s being of royal blood.

You see the moment we come to Christ and lay down our life in exchange for His, the blood of the Lamb envelopes us and protects us. Yes, we still have to deal with sin, but it has no power over us anymore. We can rule over sin in our lives. Yes, sickness may come, but it does not take away anything that we will willingly lay down.

Freedom in Christ is the power of our reign. Freedom in Christ dispels all our enemies. So, are you reigning with Christ today over the sins and evils that surround you or are cowering in fear like a slave of the evil one? It’s your choice. If you belong to Jesus, act like it. Rule like it. If you aren’t His child yet, come to Him today so that you may have the freedom that allows you to rule and reign in life.

Father God, I praise You for giving me the power to reign through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Calvary, Cross, Flesh, Sacrifice, Scripture

THE FLESH

ROMANS 1:3

“concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,”

There has been no doubt the past few days that I am living in the flesh. I don’t mean I have been living in sin. I mean my flesh is very delicate. I had some “minor” surgery on my nose that was anything but minor as far as my flesh was concerned. My eye swelled shut and the right side of my face was swollen and bruised. It is amazing just how delicate our flesh can be when it undergoes trauma. (by the way, it’s good to be back with you today)

We are reminded in today’s verse that Jesus, the very Son of God, chose to come in that mortal flesh. His flesh had challenges. I am sure He had cuts and bruises as a carpenter. I am sure His feet hurt from walking long distances. And we all know how His flesh suffered through the scourging and crucifixion. It was important for Paul to remind the recipients of this letter that He had indeed come in the flesh – fully God and fully man.

APPLICATION

According to Albert Barnes, “the expression ‘according to the flesh’ is applied to no other one in the New Testament but to Jesus Christ. Though the word ‘flesh’ often occurs, and is often used to denote man, yet the special expression, ‘according to the flesh’ occurs in no other connection.” I did not realize that until I read it. But it makes complete sense, doesn’t it? We could only come in the flesh, but He could have come without experiencing the flesh. He chose to come that way.

John 1:14 tells us, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John wanted to make it clear also. Remember, John actually walked and talked with Jesus in the flesh. He ate many meals with Him. He watched Him sleep. He watched Him sweat and get tired. And He watched Him die and bleed real blood for us.

Never read that little phrase “according to the flesh” again without thinking about the depths of that choice Jesus made to come in the flesh. He gave up His glory to be with us in the flesh so that He could pay the ultimate price for us on Calvary. Glory, Hallelujah! Praise be to the Lord of lords and King of kings.

O Lord, thank You for sending Your precious Son in the flesh to die for me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Blood, Cross, Enemies, Grace, Scripture

ENEMIES OF THE CROSS

PHILIPPIANS 3:18

“For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even as I weep, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ,”

I was watching the news yesterday about the riots in Los Angeles because of the deportation efforts being led by I.C.E. and other law enforcement groups. The word “enemies” entered my mind when I saw the burning of cars and tires in the middle of the streets. Whatever side of the immigration discussion you are on, you have to admit that violent protests do nothing but make each side more entrenched and become more volatile enemies of each other.

Paul knew what real enemies were like. He had faced them his whole ministry. From the very beginning when he had to flee Damascus due to a threat on his life to where he was when he wrote the letter to the Philippians, he had fought against these powers of darkness. The word “enemies” means someone who is hateful, hostile and aggressive. They are intentionally against you and will do whatever is necessary to try to stop you. Paul knew this far too well.

APPLICATION

I want you to take a look at what these people were enemies of, according to Paul. They were “enemies of the cross of Christ.” You see, these enemies were those who tried to diminish the sole sufficiency of the cross with the need to keep the Jewish law. Christ’s substitutionary death on that cross wasn’t enough to save you, according to these enemies. You needed more.

Paul will go on to further describe these enemies in the next verse, which we will see tomorrow. Needless to say, Paul didn’t mince words when it came to those who tried to negate the power of the cross. I am reminded of Galatians 2:21 in Paul’s confrontation with Peter on this very issue of adding to grace. “‘I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.’”

All we need is Jesus. Nothing else. If anyone tells you anything different, they are an enemy of the cross. They don’t believe in the power of the cross. They don’t believe in the power of the blood. The third verse of “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus” says it all:

Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ’tis all of grace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Thank You, Father, for the sufficiency of the Cross of Christ.

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Access, Bible, Blood, Cross, Eternal Life, Salvation, Scripture

THROUGH THE CROSS

EPHESIANS 2:16

“and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility.”

Sometimes the only way to get to something is to go through something. I had to go through four years of college and three years of seminary to get to my Master’s Degree. It was a lot of work, a lot of blood, sweat and tears. It also took a lot of prayer. But at the end of those seven years, I held that diploma proudly.

Paul, however, explains that my reconciliation to God had nothing to do with my human effort. It was solely through the cross of Christ. It was His sacrifice that brought me to God. The Greek word for “through” used here is dia which can mean “by the instrumentality of. The cross of Christ was the only instrument needed to rescue me.

APPLICATION

Have you ever seen the Bridge Illustration? It is a simple way to share your faith with someone. Below is the full diagram showing the gap that separated you from God and how the cross bridges that gap.

I normally use Romans 6:23 to lead someone through this illustration. On the left side of the gap below “us” I would write “wages” an “sin.” Then I write “death” at the bottom. On the right side under “God” I would write “free gift” and “eternal life.” I use a cool app called “Share Your Faith” which walks right through it.

Why am I sharing all this with you? 1. So you can see that it is only through the cross that we can cross that great divide between us and God. 2. So you can have a tool to use to share your faith with someone else.

Don’t take your salvation for granted. Christ’s cross wasn’t some shiny, golden cross. It was a rugged piece of wood covered in blood. He shed His blood, sweat and tears for you. Never forget that. Give Him praise today!

I am so thankful today, Lord, for the sacrifice of the cross.

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Bible, Boasting, Cross, Glorify, Glory, Mediator, Payment, Redemption, Sacrifice, Salvation, Scripture

GLORY IN THE CROSS

GALATIANS 6:14

“But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

The title for today’s blog confuses the lost world. How can we glory in such a cruel death? The following link gives you a pretty good description of the Roman cross. It was an awful way to die.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/crucifixion-capital-punishment

But we believers understand it is more than just the way Jesus died. It was that He died for us.

Paul had plenty to boast about. In fact, he lists those things in Philippians 3:4-6. “4 If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.” But he knew the only thing worthy of boasting about was the Lord Jesus.

APPLICATION

I was thinking what to write here today, but I can’t say it any better than Albert Barnes. Read what he said about this boasting in the cross.

“But to the Christian, that cross is the subject of glorying. It is so because:

  1. Of the love of Him who suffered there;
  2. Of the purity and holiness of His character, for the innocent died there for the guilty;
  3. Of the honor there put on the Law of God by His dying to maintain it unsullied;
  4. Of the reconciliation there made for sin, accomplishing what could be done by no other oblation, and by no power of man;
  5. Of the pardon there procured for the guilty;
  6. Of the fact that through it we become dead to the world, and are made alive to God;
  7. Of the support and consolation which goes from that cross to sustain us in trial; and,
  8. Of the fact that it procured for us admission into heaven, a title to the world of glory. All is glory around the cross.”

What else can you say? That pretty much sums it up. So today, glory in the cross of your Lord. Praise Him for what He did and continues to do for you. Give Him the honor and glory He is due.

O God, my Father, I give You praise and thank You for the cross. That sounds strange, but I know Jesus died on that cross for me and for everyone else in the world.

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Access, Asking, Bible, Cleansing, Cross, Direction, Escape, Forgiveness, God's Will, Heaven, Salvation, Scripture

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING?

ZECHARIAH 5:10

“So I said to the angel who was speaking with me, ‘Where are they taking the ephah?’”

If you have children, you have probably put up with “explorations.” We put up baby gates and all sorts of contraptions to try to keep the little buggers contained. But lo and behold, they would find ways to escape. I can remember sitting and watching my children trying to figure out how to get loose. I would jokingly ask them, “Where do you think you’re going?”

Zechariah just watched the two winged women swoop down and pick up the ephah with the woman (wickedness) inside and fly away. His first thought was “Where are they going?” I don’t think he was concerned about the woman’s welfare. He was just curious about their destination. By this time, Zechariah wasn’t afraid to ask anything of that angel. (Come back tomorrow to see where they take her.)

APPLICATION

As I was thinking of an application for this verse, the thought came to me – what happens to our sins? Where does God carry them? We have the answer right in Scripture. Psalm 103:11-12 says, “11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our wrongdoings from us.”

That’s a long way! You can’t get to the east by traveling west or vice versa. You just keep traveling in the direction you are going, whether that be heading east or heading west. In other words, you can’t get back that sin once it has been forgiven. It’s gone. Now, you may choose to sin again, but it won’t be that same sin. It will be a brand new one.

God could pile all our sins up in one big heap in heaven (mine would be mountainous) and show them all to us when we get there. But no, He removes them. So, we don’t have to ask that question I asked earlier. We know where He carries our sins – to the cross, where they are forgiven forever. Amen? Amen!

Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near

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