THIS WE BELIEVE: The Work Of Christ

​This post is part of our “THIS WE BELIEVE” series in conjunction with the “From the Desk” video bog.  You can see the latest entry at the end of the post.
 
Article 5: The Work of Christ We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
 
To some degree, each of the articles of our statement of faith are cornerstones in the foundation of our faith.  Not one could be removed without weakening the whole.  That being said, when we get to the work of Christ, there is a particular power here.  Without the power of the Cross, we would be eternally struggling to pay a debt that we would never be able to pay.  Literally.
 
The wages of our sin is death, but moreover those who have rejected Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior endure eternal punishment.  It would be easy to forget this, as so much of our culture looks at Christianity and its practice here in the mundane world without fully considering the eternal implications.  Christians are “nice” for the culture (though increasingly this view is becoming unpopular), but nothing particularly more – the concern is for the here and now.
 
When we look at the work of Christ on the Cross, we realize that it wasn’t merely for a better life now – it was for eternity.  Jesus, as the only acceptable means to salvation has healed our broken relationship with God and restored us to an eternal place with Him.  The blood of Christ should be our greatest anthem, our highest prize, our most insistent message to the world around us.
As promised, I bring you not one but two songs this week that reflect the value we place on the Cross…and the importance of singing it to one another!  First, O the Blood from Gateway Worship.  We actually sang this last week during communion Sunday.  It’s simple lyrics remind us of what the work on the cross accomplished. 
Next, listen to Lamb of God from Vertical Worship.  The chorus in particular brings home the power of what Jesus did for us:


The Lamb of God in my place / Your blood poured out my sin erased
It was my death You died / I am raised to life
Hallelujah the Lamb of God!
 
My prayer for you, brothers and sisters, is that you are not only reminded of the work of the Cross today, but that you have an opportunity to share it with someone this week.  There is no better news to give than the GOSPEL, the Good News of Jesus Christ!
For His Glory,
-Pastor Zach