Never lose sight of the true message of the Gospel. It is the message of the cross that frees people from the power of sin and liberates them from the sting of death. This message expresses the unconditional love of Jesus Christ, selflessly poured out for you on the cross.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
The cross and resurrection of Jesus are central themes in the book of Acts and throughout the Epistles. Regardless of the topic discussed, every New Testament writer consistently returns to the message of the cross.
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).
The message of the cross not only redefines our relationship with God but also with the world. Not only were we set free from the power of sin, but we were also separated from the power of evil in this world. We were delivered from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13).
On the cross, Jesus proclaimed, "It is finished," referring to His fulfillment of the Law. This proclamation also marked the end of our bondage to the corruption of the world. Often, we focus only on the first aspect of this message, but the second is equally important! We are not only crucified to the world; the world is also crucified to us. Just as we consider ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:11), we should view ourselves as dead to the evil that the world presents.
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”(Romans 10:9).
When Paul states that confessing Jesus and believing that God raised Him from the dead will lead to our salvation, he is not only referring to being saved from the power of sin in the flesh or the constraints of the Law. He is also emphasizing salvation from the corruption found in the world.
“And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).
This physical world will eventually be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10-12), and all the things we have desired will cease to exist (1 John 2:16). However, those who follow the will of the Lord will live forever. This is why Paul encourages us not to conform to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).
“Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5).
To overcome this world, we must believe in our hearts that we are not only saved from the power of sin but also from the power of evil in this world.
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).
My brothers and sisters in Christ, you have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God! Not only have you died to sin, but this world has also died to you. You have been delivered from all sin, sickness, and everything born of darkness that comes against Jesus, the Word, in you. The evil of this world has no power over you, except what you allow. Let the message of salvation redefine and transform you. Allow the resurrection power of the cross to completely free you from everything in this world that steals, kills, and destroys! Focus solely on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.
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“May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, the riches of His inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward you who believe. It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in heavenly places, far above all principality, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (paraphrase of Ephesians 1:17-21).
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