cross symbolism

The cross is central to Christianity: to what I believe. According to Kyle Idleman (author of Not a Fan), there are several symbols the cross represents:
-victory
-grace
-freedom
-healing
-hope
-beauty (p 171)

Through Jesus' sacrifice I am free from sin's power. There is also healing found in the cross. For all who believe, the cross provides beauty out of ashes. Also, when sin takes me captive, I have hope  there is healing found in the cross. I just look outside of myself and onto Him, for He will heal every wound.

Additionally, "an instrument of torture and death is the image that represents followers of Jesus (159)."

From that the cross symbolizes humilation, suffering, (Luke 6:22, 2 Timothy 3:12, Philippians 1:29)  and death. I die to my own desires, pursuits, and plans. When I decide to follow Jesus, that is the end of me. (adapted from Not a Fan p. 161)

I also know following Jesus is a daily surrender. I ask myself how can I follow after Jesus today? And I trust He will lead my steps.

Not a Fan.

I'm reading through Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman which speaks of moving beyond being a fan of Jesus to becoming a committed follower.

Some passages that stood out to me are
"We are saved by God's grace when we believe in Jesus and put our faith in him, but biblical belief is more than something we confess with our mouths; it's something we confess with our lives...a belief is more than what we say (104)."

Salvation comes through the grace of God through faith. Believing is more than just talking all the time. Followers show through their lives that they belong to Jesus.

Following Jesus also requires movement and a complete and total commitment.

Not a Fan is challenging me to evaluate where I truly stand in my relationship with Jesus.

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a CROSS the EARTH

Salvation is for all people. That's the reason for the cross.
a CROSS.
the EARTH.

I step away from the cross, I get away from Jesus and what He bore to save me. As a Christian, I need to embrace the cross for all my pain, sorrow, shame, brokenness, etc was laid there so I could taste forgiveness.

The forgiveness of God is a beautiful thing. Every wrongdoing is canceled out because He forgave me. In the book Don't Waste Your Life, John Piper writes that forgiveness is good because it gives us God. I agree with that statement because I am not right with God without forgiveness.

Being right with God through the gift of forgiveness enables me to forgive everyone who has ever hurt me or sought to cause me harm. Forgiveness is an act of grace and also sets me free.

Forgiveness is seen in the cross. I believe people of the earth need forgiveness and they will see it through the cross of Christ, not looking inward but outward.

From the Grave to Grace

The moment I came into the world, I began to die.

Before I depress you, let me explain.

I was dying not in a physcial sense, rather a spiritual death. I was outside of grace, subject to death, apart from Him who could bring into His abundant life.

Everyone was (and is) meant to live in His life. I recognize there are many cultures and many different religions. I seek to understand those religions that are different from mine.

This breaks my heart that atheism and other religions exist in the world. But they do. What can I do?

I simply live life in the light of God.I don't want to single out any religion because I don't want anyone to single me out because I am a Christian.

I have a testimony to share; nothing and no one can take that away.

People in the world have the freedom to believe in whatever they want.

Love is what motivated Jesus to die in humanity's place. It wasn't religion. The love of God can't be denied. The simple fact is everyone desires to be loved. And because of His great love for me, I went from the grave to life inside His grace.

All for His glory + Always <3

Rise Up and Say No More

So, the last post I wrote was on complacency. By the grace of God, I am slowly moving out of that state. Every day I have to make a conscious effort to not be satisfied where I am in faith; but always keep moving forward.

Change doesn't come overnight. It is a process. At this point in my life, I want to enjoy the relationship I have with God. I want to be the kind of Christian that is excited about all God is doing in the world. I want to spread the passion that is growing in my heart to those around me.

I want to rise up and say no more: to complacency, to contentment, to everything that seeks to drag me down and away from pursuing God above all else.

All for His glory + Always <3