THE WORD: “For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong…. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ….For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead…He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross” Colossians 2:5,8,12,14
The apostle Paul, writing while imprisoned, gave us divinely inspired words of assurance that Christ crucified is the completion of the old law…and ultimately the death of our old nature. Throughout His Word, God pleads with us to repent…to turn away….to make a 180 degree turn in our trajectory…not a 360!
It’s a choice. At the moment of temptation, we have a decision to make. We either turn and run away from the sin that allures us, or we succumb to its entrapment. “But it’s so hard to let go!” echoes in our minds. Our fleshly desires yearning for momentary satisfaction.
O Dear one…look up. Envision the image of the CROSS! Do you see him? Do you see our Savior! He didn’t give in and He didn’t give up on you and me. Although the sin of the world caused Him unbearable pain and suffering, He remained resolute to His divine purpose. He knew our redemption depended on it. Let us burn that image in our brains…in our hearts. Our Savior on the cross. Let it be the lighthouse that gets us through the storms we encounter in our journeys. He hung there on that tree – nine inch nails through his wrists and a crown of thorns pressing into his skull. The worlds sin – your sin, my sin – He bore it all because it was HIS purpose.
Did Christ for a moment have a sense of separateness from the holiness of His Father? I believe he did. The Bible says that “darkness fell across the whole land…and the light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” (Luke 23:44-45) Do you get that? He understands the feeling of being alone. But even though the darkness enveloped Him, He shouted. I love that! Before He took His last breath…He SHOUTED! I can hear it now! A resounding statement of victory! There at the cross HE defeated death. His spirit was entrusted into the hands of our ALMIGHTY FATHER!
Every single day, when God decides to give us another day to breathe, you and I have choices to make. What do you say today? Let us lay our burdens down at the foot of the cross and allow HIM to take the lead. Don’t give in to the temptations of this world. Keep your eyes on the Cross. God has a plan for your life. Allow Him to give you the wisdom and discernment to realize your purpose!
“Papa God, sometimes we lose focus. Forgive us for turning our backs on you. Remove the strongholds of shame and guilt that the enemy uses to keep us away from you. Forgive us of our sins and refuel us with an extra portion of your extraordinary strength. Quicken the Spirit that you gave us on the day of our salvation. Let it shine brightly today so that others may see YOU being lived out in our lives. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear! Help us to see the opportunity of serving you well in all circumstances. In our Savior’s Name, Jesus we pray. Amen!”
Rod & Rose 