AT THE CROSS

 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” Romans 5:8-10

           God’s love for humanity is unconditional and unimaginable. It’s massive. He loves us by giving His Own life for us. We are sinful in nature and we deserved death as a penalty for sin. But Jesus Christ took that judgement for our sin on Himself on the cross. He suffered and died in our place, not when we repented or reconciled with God, but when we were still sinners, not even knowing the need for a Savior.

             This is the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. By His ‘one’ holy sacrifice, He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. And on the basis on this One Sacrifice, Paul writes in Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” This covers all the aspects of our life. Derek Prince beautifully summarized the exchange made at the cross:

• Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven 
• Jesus was wounded that we might be healed
• Jesus was made sin with our sinfulness that we might be made righteous with His righteousness 
• Jesus died our death that we might receive His life
• Jesus endured poverty that we might share His glory
• Jesus endured rejection that we might have His acceptance with the Father
• Jesus was made a curse that we might enter into His blessing.

             This list goes on...Nothing of these were easy, but Jesus went through it, so we could gain salvation. This is extremely precious given to unworthy mankind. Therefore “..continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].”-Philippians 2:12(AMP)