Tag Archives: cross

The Way

How does one have relationship with God? How can we be reconciled to our creator? What way is available for us to be saved? These most important questions are answered by the Scriptures.

The Bible declares that Jesus is the way.  Romans 10:9-13 says that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Trusting in Christ by believing in in His death, burial, and resurrection as the payment for our sin results in relationship with God. Eternal life is appropriated through faith in Christ.

The Bible also teaches that Jesus is the only way. John 14:6 tells us Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”  There is only one way to have relationship with God. There is only one hope, one faith, one Lord, and one mediator for sinful humanity and His name is Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5-6) This teaching is not popular, but, it is resolutely proclaimed in Scripture.

Finally, the Bible proclaims that the way of salvation is open to all. 2 Peter 3:9 says The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. John tells us that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)  

Theses verses do not teach that all will be saved. No, some will reject the way of salvation. However, those who turn from their sins and place their trust in Jesus believing in Him shall have eternal life and be reconciled to God. (John 3:16)God is gracious, kind, and compassionate towards sinners.

Have you placed your faith and trust in Christ? If not, please consider these claims from the Bible. Jesus is the way. He is the only way. And He is the abundant way. May the name of Jesus be praised forever more!

Tony French

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The Cross of Jesus

Let us focus upon the cross today. At the cross, our salvation was secured and our hope was restored. Jesus’ completed work upon the cross secured the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with God for all who will believe.

At the cross, Jesus took our place. John declared that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) As the Passover lamb served as a substitute for the people of Israel, so, Jesus is our “once and for all Lamb” who died in our place.

At the cross, God’s love for humanity was shown in the greatest possible way. Paul writes, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Jesus’ crucifixion is the greatest example of God’s love toward sinners that has ever been and will ever be. 

At the cross, the humanity of Christ is amplified. He hurt, He experienced excruciating pain, and He had terrible thirst (John 19:28). Jesus is fully God and yet fully human. At the cross, His divine love led him to voluntarily suffer bodily and die for us in the worst possible way. He died bodily as the sacrifice for our sin so that we could be reconciled to God.

Remember the cross this week. Let us remember what Christ endured for us. Let me end with the words of this great, old hymn.

Alas and did my Savior, bleed and did my sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head for sinners such as I?

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight

And now I am happy all the day.

Tony French

“At the Cross” Isaac Watts and Ralph Hudson

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The Cross

As  the Easter Season draws near, don’t forget the cross. Let us not forget that Christ took upon Himself our sin and shame while he dwelt upon the cross. He didn’t deserve to be there, yet, He willingly gave His life for the redemption of our sin.

This Easter Season, look deeply at the cross. Jesus endured the shame and disgrace that was rightly ours. Let us never forget the remarkable love that Christ revealed to sinners as He died for the sins of all.

When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died;

My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

Issac Watts

Tony French

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The Mind of Christ

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that Christians have been given the “mind of Christ.” He takes that principle further by instructing Believers to live in that reality in Philippians 2. “Let this mind be in you” is the command given to God’s people. Let us examine three precepts about Jesus life that He demonstrated for us. And may we pursue the mind of Jesus in our own lives as well.

First, Jesus was willing to serve. Christ served by teaching, healing, and loving the outcasts. Then, He took upon Himself the posture of a servant and completed His earthly ministry dying as a common criminal for the sin of humanity. He served the people of the world by giving up His life for them. Greater love cannot be shown. (John 15:13)

The Savior also humbled Himself. Christ left behind the glory that is rightfully His as the Son of God and took upon Himself human flesh. He humbled Himself and condescended to this planet so that those who believe might be saved. He lived for our righteousness so that we might be made righteous through His life. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Finally, the Son of God fulfilled the will of His Father. Even though Jesus is co-equal with the Father, nevertheless, He was obedient unto death for our salvation. Jesus is our example of obedience and we ought to follow that trajectory in our lives as well.

One day the entire world will acknowledge Jesus as Lord. There is coming time in which every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess the lordship of Christ. Christian, let us acknowledge the glory and lordship of the Savior every single day. It is the least that we can do.

Tony French

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The Wonder Of The Cross

As  the Easter Season draws near, don’t forget the cross. Let us not forget that Christ took upon Himself our sin and shame while he dwelt upon the cross. He didn’t deserve to be there, yet, He willingly gave His life for the redemption of our sin.

This Easter Season, look deeply at the cross. Jesus endured the shame and disgrace that was rightly ours. Let us never forget the remarkable love that Christ revealed to sinners as He died for the sins of all.

When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died;

My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

Issac Watts

Tony French

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Watching At The Cross

“And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.” (Matthew 27:36) This verse is tucked in Matthew’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion. It is a verse we are tempted to miss if we are read the Scriptures carelessly. Yet, this verse relates something about the nature of humanity to all who pay attention.

Jesus is dying and they are watching. They seem to be wondering what is going to happen. Jesus always had a way of surprising people. Perhaps they were watching for the unexpected or maybe the religious leaders at the cross simply wanted to be sure that Jesus would die. For whatever reason, they watched Him.

Folks had watched Christ throughout the entirety of His ministry. They watched with wonder at times and they watched with disdain at times. Some believed and some would reject Jesus, but, they couldn’t ignore Him.

The same thought is true today. People are still watching Jesus. But how do they “watch Jesus” today? They watch Him by observing the lives of His followers. Jesus is no longer here and you and I have been given the command to be His witness (Acts 1:8) and His ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20). They watch Jesus by watching us.

How do we represent Jesus best? We exalt Jesus best by being people of grace and truth (John 1:14). Loving people and sharing the good news of the Gospel are good ways to start. Seeing folks the way Jesus saw them is also an important thought to keep in mind. 

When people look to us as Christians, what are they seeing? What are our lives revealing about our Lord whom we follow? Are we giving an accurate representation of Jesus to those who observe our daily lives? These are sober and haunting questions. These are questions we should consider carefully during this Holy Week and every week of the year.

Tony French

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