BE FREE—All In for the Cross
By Pastor Robby Bradford
(Galatians 2:20) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
(Galatians 3:1) You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
(Galatians 3:13 ESV) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree…”
(Galatians 5:11) Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
(Galatians 5:24) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
(Galatians 6:11-18) See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
5 Reasons Why I Should Go All-In for the Cross
- The cross rightly reflects the truth of my sin.
Dead in our sins.
(Ephesians 2:1) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…
Enslaved to our sins.
(Romans 6:6) We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
Deserving of judgment.
(Colossians 2:14) He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
Powerless to save ourselves.
(1 Peter 2:24 ESV) He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
- The cross bears a Savior for everyone.
(1John 2:2) He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
- The cross reminds us that the world will never be our safe place.
(2 Corinthians 11:23b-27) I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
- The cross encourages us to live for others.
(1John 3:16) By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
- The cross means we will eternally be recipients of grace.
(Galatians 6:18) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.