I boast in the Cross of Christ - 6th day in Lent

What is the Cross? It is a symbol of love.
                   The Lord showed His love by sending His only and only Son to the earth to die on the cross to redeem the whole world. ‘For god so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For god did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world. But in order that the world might be saved through him.’ John3: 16, 17
            How can we boast the Lord in our life? What does the word, ‘Boast’ mean? To honor, to give all glory and praise, often call attention to, something that is a source of pride, to speak of it all the time. How can we do it in our daily life? Once a lawyer came to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus told him it is written in the law, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself. Do this and you will live.
          How do we love the Lord? It is not enough just to say with our mouth that, ‘I love you’. We have to love him with our whole heart. A supreme love, loves someone more than anybody or anything in this world. Whole hearted love, fully and nothing should come between you and the Savior.
How do we love other? Love others as you love yourself. How is our relationship with our family, neighbors? If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. I John 4:20 ‘Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.’ I John 3:18 We have to love others truly and in action.
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34, 35. This is our identity. Just by our actions others must know that we are God’s children. Are we showing Jesus to others by our walk and talk? Can the world see in us?

What is the cross? It is a symbol of Victory. 
               Jesus by dying on the cross brought reconciliation both to God and us there by removing the hostility. Eph 2:16 On the cross one of the verse was, “It is finished.” It is a voice of victory. Jesus fulfilled the purpose for which he was sent and thus fulfilled the will of His Father. The salvation plan was done. He brought victory over sin, curse, sorrow, diseases and unrest by hanging on the cross.

Sin: ‘He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.’ I Peter 2:24  
Curse: ‘Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.’ Gal 3:13
Grief and Sorrow: ‘Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows…’ Isaiah 53:4 ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28  
Transgressions: ‘…he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities…’ Isaiah 53:5
Diseases: ‘…with his stripes we are healed.’ Isaiah 53:5 ‘By his wounds you have been healed.’ I Peter 2:24
Unrest: ‘…upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace….’ Isaiah 53:5 ‘But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace…’ Ephesians 2:13, 14 Jesus is our Victor and in him we can live a victorious life.

Paul’s statement: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:35, 37 Can we say this along with Paul, that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ? Are we claiming the victory and running the race patiently looking at Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, Thank you so much for your love on Calvary giving us victory over sin, curse, sorrows, burdens and diseases. Help us to love you more and show your love to others in our daily walk. Amen.
Memory Verses:
        “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:35, 37

ரோமர் 8:36, 37
கிறிஸ்துவின் அன்பைவிட்டு நம்மைப் பிரிப்பவன் யார்? உபத்திரவமோ, வியாகுலமோ, துன்பமோ, பசியோ, நிர்வாணமோ, நாசமோசமோ, பட்டயமோ?

இவையெல்லாவற்றிலேயும் நாம் நம்மில் அன்புகூருகிறவராலே முற்றும் ஜெயங்கொள்ளுகிறவர்களாயிருக்கிறோமே.

 Shared by: Sis.Sheila Bose (Chennai)

 02-24-2015