What has the Cross Done in Your Life?
“So it is written: ‘The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.’” 1 Corinthians 15:45
Satan seemed to be victorious in the Garden of Eden and at the cross. But everything changed when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The Apostle Paul proclaims, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” – 1 Cor. 15:55 Death is no longer a source of fear for those who believe in Jesus; there is hope beyond the grave! For unbelievers, death is full of mystery, fear, anger, and frustration. For Christians death is merely a doorway into eternal life. I’m reminded of a story that helps puts the power of the cross into perspective:
In 1967 a young University of Cincinnati college student was working through the issues of his faith. Charles Murray, an Olympic prospect and a very skilled high diver, was not raised in a Christian home and was struggling with God over some of the issues his roommate discussed about the forgiveness of sin and the saving power of the Cross.
Charles began reading the New Testament and continued to debate spiritual issues with his roommate, but the clarity of God’s message just didn’t reach Charles’ heart. He became frustrated with his confusion and declined any further spiritual discussions with others.
Because he was training for the Olympic games, Charles had special privileges at the University pool facilities. One evening he became especially restless and confused with his spiritual struggle and decided to spend some additional time practicing dives. Some time between 10:30 and 11:00 PM he went to the pool. It was a clear night in October and the moon was big and bright.
The University pool was housed under a ceiling of glass panes. The moon shone bright across the top of the wall in the pool area. Charles came through the back door, put down his gear, and immediately climbed the tall ladder leading to the highest platform. He believed that there was no need to turn on the pool lights because the glow of the moon filtered enough light into the building.
At that moment the Spirit of God began to convict Charles of his sins. All the scripture he had read and all the occasions others witnessed to him about Christ flooded his mind. He stood on the platform backwards to make his dive, spread his arms to gather his balance, looked up to the wall, and saw his own shadow on the side of the pool building. The moonlight silhouetted his body projecting the shape of a cross on the stark, white wall. When he saw the cross, he could bear the burden of his sin no longer. His heart broke as he sat down on the platform and asked God to forgive him and save him. He trusted Jesus Christ on a twenty foot platform with only the walls of the building to hear his confession.
Suddenly, a door opened and the lights of the pool area came on. One of the maintenance workers had come to check some work he had been doing on the pool. As Charles looked down from his platform he saw an empty pool, which had been drained for repairs. He had almost plummeted to his death, but the cross had stopped him from disaster.
Accepting the sacrifice of Christ’s death upon Calvary’s cross will keep us from disaster. The cross points the way to eternal salvation. Other faiths do not have a risen Savior. Praise God our hope is in Jesus who conquered death and who promises each believer life after death.
The Power of Truth:
“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing; but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Cor. 1:18
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Rom. 1:16
Suggestion for Prayer:
Spend some time thanking God for the power of the cross in your life.