The Cross of Christ - Triumphant Until The End!

If you remember the television series called Branded with Chuck Connors, you will remember the opening scene in which Connors was stripped of all his insignia from his Army uniform. He was the sole survivor at the battle of Bitter Creek and was accused of being a coward, abandoning his unit. It was a powerful scene, as the commanding officer walked around him and ripped each insignia off, then taking his saber, breaking it in half, and throwing it outside of the gate. Connors then walks out slowly, a defeated man.

I share this because this is the picture the Lord gave me as we looked at Colossians 2:15 (He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him). The word disarmed means to "strip off." At the cross, Christ disarmed the spiritual powers, stripping them of their insignia of rank. Christ triumphed over his spiritual enemies, winning divine triumph over the cosmic powers.

This victory is ours too. Satan is a defeated foe and the battle is won. We persevere against Satan's "parting shots" at us, knowing with certainty that God will never be defeated. As the Message Bible translation so aptly shares with us "He's wild and raging with anger; he hasn't much time and he knows it (Revelation 12:10).

The Only Cleansing Agent - The Blood of Jesus

This was another week where I wondered out loud to the Lord about how "short" the lesson was. We soon discovered that He had much more for us than what was found in our outline. First, we had the largest group of ladies to attend our bible study since we began last September. It was wonderful to see Donna bringing out more and more chairs and each of us making room at the dinner table for all the sisters. Isn't that the big picture he wants us to see - there is always room for one more. And what a feast He prepared for us! Isn’t that what He wants to do – yet we just settle so often for the scraps.

Last week's lesson looked at the Doctrine of Redemption, yet this week the Lord wanted us to know that not only were we purchased out of slavery with the death of Christ, but the blood of Christ is a daily cleansing agent for us as we walk out our life on this side of salvation. We avail ourselves of this through His life giving Word.

Philippians 4:4-9 from the Message Bible helped us to truly visualize this life giving and cleansing work of His Word. Ask Debby. She testified that 12 years ago after receiving heart wrenching news, the dead works (Mark 7:15-23) in her life was a "six lane highway." The life giving Word in her life was just a worn beaten path. Yet, when she took hold of Philippians 4:4-9, the "six lane highway" is now the "peace of God that surpassing all understanding."

It was just a wonderful time to hear the sisters encouraging one another. He made the lesson short so that we might hear and know "The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad” (Psalm 126:3).

A Paradox

Today we examined the doctrine of redemption. Our slavery to sin could not be broken but for the intervention of Jesus Christ who could pay the price we were unable to pay.The ultimate cost was his life. The resultant state of the believer is that we are redeemed to freedom, but this freedom means slavery to God. "You are not your own; you were bought at a price" (1 Cor 6:19-20). The redeemed are saved to do the will of our Master. May we continue to seek him in all things.

The Supreme Revelation of the Love of God

How is the infinite divide between a Holy God and vile humanity reconciled? Through the death of Jesus Christ. God's word to us today was that this truth must be settled in our spirit. The days are short.

Romans 5:6-11 (Amplified Bible) While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly. Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin's dominion) through His [resurrection] life. Not only so, but we also rejoice and exultingly glory in God [in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have now received and enjoy [our] reconciliation.