Things are scrutinized. Explanations are attempted to be formulated. However, there are times when human explanations can bring confusion when mere acceptance of the realities and encouragement in the provision is where the focus ought to simply rest. This is no more true than when it comes to considering the crucified Christ; a subject that was “a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23), but for those who have believed, in Christ is seen the power and wisdom of God! (1 Corinthians 1:24) The crucified Christ had been central to Paul’s message to those at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:23; 2:2), as he also noted at the core of the Gospel message were the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), by which and by Whom we are saved. Jesus, Who took centerstage between the two criminals (Luke 23:33), is to take centerstage in our life whether we can fully understand the mind of God behind His provision in such a manner or not!
C. S. Lewis noted it well in stating, “We are told that Christ was killed for us, that His death has washed out our sins, and that by dying He disabled death itself. That is the formula. That is Christianity. That is what has to be believed. Any theories we build up as to how Christ’s death did all this are, in my view, quite secondary: mere plans or diagrams to be left alone if they do not help us, and, if they do help us, not to be confused with the thing itself.” [C. S. Lewis, “Mere Christianity” (1952)]
We are called to believe it! We are called to believe in the blessing of it! We are called to believe in the assurance it provides!
Writing to the young evangelist, Timothy, Paul encouraged. . .
“(8) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, (9) who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, (10) and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” (2 Timothy 1:8-10 ESV)
The plan before the ages began was to send the Son to save us from our sins and provide the hope of eternal life! Jesus died for our sins — “the righteous for the unrighteous” (1 Peter 3:18) — in order to redeem us and brings us to God. Let us accept the truth that the debt against us has been cancelled (i.e. Colossians 2:12-14) and His blood is sufficient for cleansing us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) Despite the inability to explain God’s choice of a cross through which our sins were atoned, let us believe in the accomplishment of what He purposed as we die to self to live for the crucified Christ in whom we have been provided the assurance of eternal life!
Have a great day WITH CONFIDENCE CENTERED IN THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST!
Carl
