The Cross: The Way to Know Myself

The Cross and Everyday Life

The Cross:  The Way To Know Myself

Romans 8:1-4

A true Christian has their entire life shaped by the cross!

The Cross Says Two Things About Me:

• There is something Seriously Wrong with me

• There is something Profoundly Valuable about me

For A True Follower of Jesus Christ There Is

1. A Truth to Believe (1)

Condemn:

1: to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation 〈a policy widely condemned as racist〉

2 a: to pronounce guilty: convict

   b: sentence, doom 〈condemn a prisoner to die〉

There is a difference between:

• Condemnation and Conviction

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13)

• Condemnation and Consequences

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7–8)

• Condemnation and Discipline

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Hebrews 12:6–7)

2. A Provision to Receive (1)

Key phrase: “In Christ Jesus”

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Two Categories of People:

• In Christ Jesus: No Condemnation

• Not in Christ Jesus: Under Condemnation

“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:11–13)

3. A Liberation to Live From (2-4)

In Jesus Christ we are set free from:

• The Penalty of sin
• The Power of sin

“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)

We are set free not to live any old way We May Please, but to live in the best of ways that fully Pleases God

“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

 The gospel makes possible a brand new way of life for us – life lived in holiness and abundance in and through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Living Out This Reality

For a follower of Jesus Christ, every spiritual Reality is also a spiritual Responsibility

1. Recognize and Receive Jesus Christ as your rightful Lord and Savior

2. Memorize and Meditate upon the truth of this scripture

3. Praise God regularly for this reality in your life through Jesus Christ

4. Trust in the present empowerment of the Holy Spirit

5. Act in light of your new identity

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,” (Colossians 2:6) 

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

“Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”” (John 8:10–11)

Making It Personal

Considering the spiritual reality of no condemnation and empowered liberation available to me through Jesus Christ I will live out my spiritual responsibility by: