Perception & Identification

Perception & Identification

1 Peter 2:24 (NASB®)

He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.

How do you relate to the cross? Perhaps you wear it as a piece of jewelry or include it as a silent signal on your business cards. There is nothing wrong with those things, but I never want to minimize what the cross really is: an instrument of execution. Jesus said, “If you want to be My disciple, you must take up your cross and follow Me.” He never said following Him would be easy or convenient. He never said following Him would be anything but difficult and challenging. However, He said the rewards of executing our carnal nature and following Him would be worth it. When we begin to “die to sin and live for righteousness,” the changes we will feel, see, and look forward to are both simple and profound, immediate and eternal. Let’s see the cross as more than the usual symbol of Christianity. Let’s see it as the place where our freedom from sin was purchased at a great price.

THINK ABOUT IT

“As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died” (Galatians 6:14, NLT®).

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for the mercy of the cross, where You judged and executed my sin. Help me live my life through this truth and Jesus’ blood, which purchased my righteousness before You gave me opportunity for every spiritual freedom. May my identity always be in Jesus—my crucified and risen Lord. In His name, amen.