The Cross of Christ 

Robbie L. Rogers

The cross truly is a symbol of our Christian walk of faith. It does not symbolize death, but rather Eternal Life with Him.  We wear a cross for many reasons, each according to his own.  Many pray simple prayers as they place it on themselves, thanking God that He saw fit to save them from the ravages of sin.  Therefore the cross is at the center of our Christian faith.  Not because of what it was but because of what it means to us.  We are now His adopted children, fellow heirs to the throne with Jesus Christ, granted eternal life with Him.

As Christians, we are constantly bothered by our feeble attempts at ridding ourselves of our self-FLESH attitudes, wherein fear abides.

Jesus, however, confronted such fear in what I call the "Five Agonies" concerning the cross. 1) He anguished over leaving the ones He grew so much in love with, His followers, and the earth of which is His destiny to rule over someday. 2) He did not want to suffer the pain and death, yet, He was willing to do according to God’s will. 3) He did not want to become separated from God, His Father; it would apparently be the first and last time ever in all eternity for Him to do so. 4) He who knew no sin was caused to take upon the drudgery, the entire weight of the whole sins of the world, all that was ever done or to be done; not just what was, but what will be, the whole of it, the true agony. 5) Then He withstood the scourge of death and hell’s fury, something no man previously ever lived through and came back from; the eternal flame of damnation.

We identify as best we can to Christ’s sacrifice, by accepting the daily persecution the world often inflicts upon us; thus, our prayer life also should identify with Christ's victories. 

As Oswald Chambers puts it: "Never tolerate the idea of MARTYRDOM about the Cross of Jesus Christ. The Cross was instead a superb triumph in which the foundations of hell were shaken. There is nothing more certain in time or eternity than what Jesus Christ did on the Cross. He switched the whole of the human race back into right relationship with God. He made redemption the basis of human life, that is, He made a way for every son-of-man to get into communion with God. The Cross did not just happen on Jesus’ way to glory. He came on purpose for it. He is "the Lamb of God that was slain for the creation of the world." The whole meaning of the Incarnation is the Cross. The Cross is the gateway whereby any individual of the human race can enter into union with God. When we get to the Cross, we do not go through it; we abide in the life to which the Cross is the gateway to."

Jesus did nothing but what the Father taught Him.  He was in continual communication with God, giving us, "the Lord’s Prayer," as an outline of how we should pray;  we should treasure it, learning from Christ's example to do the same, accepting that Jesus died for our sins upon the cross that we may live with Him.

We are taught to pray for wisdom, or answers to questions we seek. But Jesus’ idea of prayer was not to "get from God," though often we end up spending much of our time with God on such "gimme" prayers. The true object of our prayers should be, to obtain perfect oneness with God. If we only pray asking questions or raising up petitions then we miss the boat. We are not here to prove that God answers prayers, whether they be miracle or not. Instead we are here to be monuments of His grace and do His will.

God did not seek out Adam and Eve to get marching orders for the day. He sought them out for companionship, the same as it was and is with Jesus, and should be with us.

"In that day you will ask in My name; and I do not say that I will request the Father on your behalf; for the father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and believed that I came forth from the Father." John 16:26,27

God has companionship with us because we love Christ. And, because we love Him we emulate Him. If you identify with Him as best you can and desire to be like minded as Him, then let Him have His way, keeping in perfect union with God... perfect communion with Him without ceasing. Never let your flesh have its way, say, "get behind me Satan."

Does your constant prayer include, "I must be about my Father’s business."? Is the Son of God truly living in you? Or, do you only seek prayer without ceasing only when things go wrong, looking for quick and absolute answers. As a child of God you should be wanting to do ONLY His bidding, realizing that all things come from His hands. Or, to put it simply, is the eternal Christ child in you living out His loving grace in your home... your place in the vineyards... your business... your circle of close friends?

We must often seek answers from God and even do so. However, we should make those decisions in fearful trembling. Not in fear from God, but in fear that we might establish our flesh as a governing body instead of God.

The minute we stop operating in prayer without ceasing, whatever the reason may be, we are in danger of walking out from God’s covering. When your prayers seem unanswered, or certain things happen that cause you concern, always seek the reason, for most likely hidden therein lies a deep instruction from God... because He loved us to send the very best... Christ.

Thus, the Cross remains even today, simply a symbol of the pure act that Jesus obediently chose. Have you pondered the Cross and Jesus’ agony...for you? Have you pondered the sure death and eternal life in hell’s fury that your loved ones who do not know Christ will be part of, the agony of it. Have you wept as Jesus wept at the thought of it all. You too should feel agony for your loved ones, just as Jesus did. The day is not too late... or is it? I have just come from the hospital to see and pray over such a loved one. It happens so suddenly... then they are gone.

Are you ready? Are they ready? Have you done your part to speak the truth? Pray that they, those whom you love, may too find the truth in the agony and triumph of the Cross.

If you desire to know more about this Jesus Christ who loves you, and you want to ask Him  into your heart, receiving His Saving Grace please click on this Salvation Prayer

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