Only Two Pieces of Wood
Rod Smith
November 21, 2008
Yet our entry to heaven hinges on how important we deem these pieces of wood. They formed the cross to which Christ was nailed.
To many the cross has become commonplace, merely a symbol, seen as a glittering piece of metal on a necklace, or an attachment to a church steeple.
Few really understand the importance of the cross. Itīs probably because not many nowadays are telling them. Thatīs for another article.
The cross was necessary, for the Bible says without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. That is why, long before Christ came, the Old Testament says the people (through Moses) were ordered by God to sacrifice animals. Their blood sprinkled on an altar was atonement for human sin.
On the cross, Jesus became the once and for all sacrifice. The Bible says "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."
"Oh, thatīs just religion. All roads lead to God," people say. Jesus does not mince words: "I am the way, the truth and the life; no-one comes to the Father except by me." Dogmatic, emphatic, exclusive? Yes, because Jesus was sent by God to show us how to live, and then gave his life in an extremely painful way to save us. Didnīt he have the right to say that?
The importance of the cross is magnified when we understand that crucifixion was one of the most barbaric, brutal, diabolical ways devised by man whereby a person would die.
On a personal level; would any of your friends endure crucifixion for you to save your soul and give you eternal life? Would any human being endure as much as Christ did to make you acceptable; to give you a personal relationship with God? Jesus made the ultimate self-sacrifice as the sinless son of God. He did it out of love for us and none of us deserve it.
We cannot work for salvation; we cannot buy it. It is a gift from God if we will believe, trust and obey.
"Oh but I donīt need salvation. Iīm good," you say. Did you ever tell a lie; use Godīs name as a swear word; steal something? Youīve broken just three of Godīs ten commandments. You may be better than some others, but the Bible says we are all sinners; everyone falls short of Godīs standard, by which we will be judged. Collectively, without Christīs salvation, we remain guilty at Judgment Day. Such is the importance of those two pieces of wood, and what Jesus did.
How can we reject him, after what he did to reconcile us with God? There are Bible witnesses to the crucifixion and resurrection. Is it not foolish to spurn a daily relationship with the Almighty, and to choose eternal death rather than eternal life?
[In this article the use of capitals when referring to the Deity has been minimised for the sake of typographical appearance.]
To many the cross has become commonplace, merely a symbol, seen as a glittering piece of metal on a necklace, or an attachment to a church steeple.
Few really understand the importance of the cross. Itīs probably because not many nowadays are telling them. Thatīs for another article.
The cross was necessary, for the Bible says without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. That is why, long before Christ came, the Old Testament says the people (through Moses) were ordered by God to sacrifice animals. Their blood sprinkled on an altar was atonement for human sin.
On the cross, Jesus became the once and for all sacrifice. The Bible says "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."
"Oh, thatīs just religion. All roads lead to God," people say. Jesus does not mince words: "I am the way, the truth and the life; no-one comes to the Father except by me." Dogmatic, emphatic, exclusive? Yes, because Jesus was sent by God to show us how to live, and then gave his life in an extremely painful way to save us. Didnīt he have the right to say that?
The importance of the cross is magnified when we understand that crucifixion was one of the most barbaric, brutal, diabolical ways devised by man whereby a person would die.
On a personal level; would any of your friends endure crucifixion for you to save your soul and give you eternal life? Would any human being endure as much as Christ did to make you acceptable; to give you a personal relationship with God? Jesus made the ultimate self-sacrifice as the sinless son of God. He did it out of love for us and none of us deserve it.
We cannot work for salvation; we cannot buy it. It is a gift from God if we will believe, trust and obey.
"Oh but I donīt need salvation. Iīm good," you say. Did you ever tell a lie; use Godīs name as a swear word; steal something? Youīve broken just three of Godīs ten commandments. You may be better than some others, but the Bible says we are all sinners; everyone falls short of Godīs standard, by which we will be judged. Collectively, without Christīs salvation, we remain guilty at Judgment Day. Such is the importance of those two pieces of wood, and what Jesus did.
How can we reject him, after what he did to reconcile us with God? There are Bible witnesses to the crucifixion and resurrection. Is it not foolish to spurn a daily relationship with the Almighty, and to choose eternal death rather than eternal life?
[In this article the use of capitals when referring to the Deity has been minimised for the sake of typographical appearance.]
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