The Cost of Your Sins

By David Ferguson

    The Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 6:14 (NAS), “But may it be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
    Whether we like it or not, the Cross of Jesus has become a Christian symbol.  It really is amazing that one of the worst devices of torture and execution ever devised in the mind of man, crucifixion on a cross, could evolve into one of the most beloved symbols of all time.  But it is not the cross itself, per se, in which Paul says he boasts, but in the One Who went to His Cross, and what that great and tremendous sacrifice meant personally to Paul, as well as to all of mankind.  The context Paul wants his readers to focus upon is not just any cross, but the Cross of Jesus Christ, where His life-giving blood was shed in ransom for the sins of the world.  It is only through the blood poured forth from Jesus on His Cross that men can be at peace once again with the Father: “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross: through Him, I say, whether things on Earth or things in Heaven” (Colossians 1:19-20, NAS).
    It is the example of Jesus the Apostle Peter advises his readers we need to follow, even if it means our own death.  Peter writes, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth: and while being reviled, He did not revile in return: while suffering He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.  For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2:21-25, NAS).
    May the Lord bless you as you fix your gaze upon His Cross and remember what your sins have cost the Son of God.

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Lakeland Church of Christ in Mattoon, IL.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://lakelandchurchofchrist.web.officelive.com/default.aspx