The Work of the Cross    I'm sure that you have at some time or another wondered if you really understood the meaning of the above heading phrase.    Is it that Jesus of Nazareth died on a cross for our sins?    Or is it that Jesus died to consummate (to perform or finish) the final Covenant of blood between God and man; the ransom for sin which God demands. This giving of Himself as a blood sacrifice unlocked the spiritual door into the presence of God the Father, now giving all mankind the chance of willingly yielding their puny strength to the Creator of all things?  That they can be recreated Spiritually. Something that they never had before. Hallelujah ! Ransom: a sum of money (a value) demanded in return for release from captivity.  [Job 33:24; Psalm 49:6-7; Matthew 20:28; 1Timothy 2:5-6]    Perhaps the best description - and the more one meditates over the vital message of spiritual life that the following words convey, the more is understood:  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.  (Philippians 2:4-16) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  (Ephesians 2:1-12) Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.  (John 3:10-21)   So, the work of the cross is to enable us to be saved from the wrath to come by accepting the conditions as laid down in the blood Covenant made between God and the Son of man with fear and trembling, on our knees submitting our lives into His love and care on an ongoing basis.  Also, to become willing servants of the Most High, accepting the responsibilities and worldly tribulations that accompany our Way.  We shall then receive Spiritual Power from on high becoming ambassadors of the Kingdom of heaven while living on this present earth.    That's rather bluntly put, not so? Nevertheless it is as is written in God's word.  We are so privileged that our Holy and Righteous God is merciful and gracious, whose lovingkindness is there for all those whom He creates.    An esteemed disciple of Christ Jesus puts it this way "You see, in the work of the Lord in our lives, salvation, is just the beginning; the majority of the work remains - the work of the cross."  This entails continual loving obedience, which he calls brokenness. Not our wills but His. Not our pride but His Power.    The question to ponder over is "how far am I prepared to go to submit the whole me; soul and body, to God's authority and purpose? What am I prepared to do for the man who died for me that I may live? Out of love and thanksgiving (thanks and giving back). How far out of my selfish comfort zone am I prepared to go?"  Or How much do I believe? [Isa 6:1-10; Isa 57:15; Isa 66:2; Ro 6:16-18]  Yes, it's easy to talk about it, and resolve to do it, but when it comes to our daily struggle to exist in this busy world of Satan, how far are we prepared to trust in the Son of man's Covenant of blood?    This isn't fantasy, it's reality; a spiritual reality that can only be grasped if we search for it with humility, determination and perseverance, asking, pleading for Spiritual help from God.  He will answer when He sees your heart.    Humility: The state or quality of being humble; lowliness of mind.    Determination: Fixedness of purpose.   Perseverance: Continued application to anything which one has begun.    How much are we prepared to Trust God?1  How much do we believe?   Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.  (1 Timothy 6:17-19)   1 Superfaith!