Read the story at the end.... Its amazing how modern preachers rarely explain the bloody cross in their gospel message. The very reason for Jesus coming to earth, the reason God sent Him, is to be saved from perishing in a brutal hell because of our crimes against God.(John 3:16) When men and women feel the weight of Gods justice found in the cross, people will cry out to be rescued from that brutal justice. And yes, fewer people may respond, but the ones that do respond will better understand the gospel. These days, preachers are trying to sneak around the bloody cross and get people to choose Jesus on the basis that He has a wonderful plan for their life and how God wants to give them peace, love and joy, and then maybe, they barely mention the cross by saying, Jesus died for your sins. So, the unforgiven choose Jesus in an experimental fashion, and end up getting what Jesus promised---suffering, persecution, and pain. Many walk away in disillusionment because they thought Jesus was a magic genie in a bottle. True peace comes from knowing Jesus suffered a brutal and bloody death in our place and now we can have fellowship with God. This initial joy of salvation comes from knowing that all the crimes we have committed against Gods perfect law have been forgiven. And finally, when the preacher explains the bloody cross to the not yet forgiven, and hear that God loves them, they will know His love is gloriously defined by Jesus standing under the mighty waves of Gods justice instead of us, so our crimes could be paid for in full. Then, a wonderful relationship with Jesus can begin to grow and reflect the beauty of the love of God our Savior. A few days ago, I explained the reason for the cross to someone who claims to be a Christian and attends a large local church that calls people forward to choose Christ every Sunday. Here is part of our conversation: Tim: ....that is why it was absolutely necessary that Jesus take our place on the cross and suffer our brutal punishment so we could be forgiven. God is just, so the only way we could be forgiven is through the cross. Beth: I dont believe that. God forgives us. Tim: Yes! Of course God forgives us. God is love, but God is also just and Jesus dying on the cross is the only way for us to be forgiven. Beth: I dont believe that. Tim: Then why did Jesus die on the cross? Beth: Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect life to be an example for us. Jesus died to be an example of love. That was shocking for me to hear....
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 15:26:23 +0000
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