September 7, 2012
“Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. … Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father.” Ephesians 2:16-18 The Message
The Cross did more than cover the cost of your life. God has made the Cross the very symbol that brings us together. We would rather have a shortcut .. a way to resolve our differences that didn’t require something so visible that requires both sides to surrender. It doesn’t seem fair to the one who has been hurt. It seems an easy out to the one who has caused the hurt. Only Christ can bring two sides together so that both see their need for Jesus to help them forgive .. to receive forgiveness .. and to begin to let his love clean out the infection that creates walls and distance. The Cross opens your heart. It doesn’t simply overlook an offense. It erases it through Christ’s death. That’s why two sides can come together .. because neither is holding on to anything any longer. It isn’t about a winner or a loser .. It isn’t about the wronged or the wronger .. It’s about two sides having equal access to the Father who heals and restores. There aren’t any shortcuts for a follower of Jesus. The shortest Way is always through the Cross. It’s not popular and it never will be. But it is the Way of Jesus .. the Way back .. and the Way forward . And it is the Way that only takes a moment ….
Ken Chester : Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Christ Followers and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org.)
