The Cross of Christ is the revealed truth of God’s judgment on sin. Never associate the idea of martyrdom with the Cross of Christ. It was the supreme triumph, and it shook the very foundations of hell. There is nothing in time or eternity more absolutely certain and irrefutable than what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross— He made it possible for the entire human race to be brought back into a right-standing relationship with God. He made redemption the foundation of human life; that is, He made a way for every person to have fellowship with God.The Cross was not something that happened to Jesus— He came to die; the Cross was His purpose in coming. He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). The incarnation of Christ would have no meaning without the Cross. Beware of separating “God was manifested in the flesh…” from “…He made Him…to be sin for us…” (1 Timothy 3:16 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The purpose of the incarnation was redemption. God came in the flesh to take sin away, not to accomplish something for Himself. The Cross is the central event in time and eternity, and the answer to all the problems of both.The Cross is not the cross of a man, but the Cross of God, and it can never be fully comprehended through human experience. The Cross is God exhibiting His nature. It is the gate through which any and every individual can enter into oneness with God. But it is not a gate we pass right through; it is one where we abide in the life that is found there.

The heart of salvation is the Cross of Christ. The reason salvation is so easy to obtain is that it cost God so much. The Cross was the place where God and sinful man merged with a tremendous collision and where the way to life was opened. But all the cost and pain of the collision was absorbed by the heart of God.

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April 6 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, it is amazing to me that we celebrate such an event and method of dying. Amazing in that one of the most hideous processes for an execution can be celebrated by the entire Christian world is….astounding. Last night, as I watched the television show, A.D. The Bible, I couldn’t make myself watch the 9 inch nails being driven into the actor’s hands, and I knew of course that this was “Hollywood”.  But the point made to me was powerful. Even in the Hollywood “play acting” I felt devastated and overwhelmed by the brutality and torture of it all. And Jesus went willingly.

And God says…”These acts of brutality and torture, combined with the willingness of Jesus to leave His place in heaven make a statement that is undeniable. I love you. This act of love, combined with my grace and mercy provides the point of our reconciliation…. we can now have an intimate relationship. You do not need to “get better” or “become a better person or better Christian”. Nor do you need to continually work on your character, or do something for Me. We simply need to be connected, and the cross provides the way.  See the cross and My sacrifice as the gift that it is, and allow Me to love you just as you are; warts and all. As you are connected via the cross your peace, happiness, character, integrity, and the very way you view yourself and the world around you will be transformed over time. Seek Me first, and I will provide everything else you need or require”.