The Cross can Change

 “That no flesh should glory in his presence.” -1 Corinthians 1:29

            So much of who we are here on Earth is evaluated from a carnal standpoint.  This is no surprise because the world is carnal.  From an early age we are evaluated on a physical/natural level.  Whether it’s intellectual performance, physical attributes, or a mixture of both; we are tested, graded, evaluated, and judged almost wholly on the outward man.  It all comes down to what is produced.  Our time here on Earth is quantified into input and output, until the question becomes, not a one of willingness, but of ability.  The flesh, the natural man, can find glory in ability.  They can exalt it, esteem it, and promote it.  Oh but how plainly does the scripture show us that God is not so concerned with our ability’s, but rather our willingness to lean on His.  God looks for willingness far more than ability.

           

There is perhaps no greater message of redemption and transformation than that of the cross.  In the theological and literally sense.  The cross before Christ is not the same cross after Christ.  Before Jesus, the cross was an instrument of death, fear, and intimidation.  It was despised, it was a symbol of hopelessness and darkness.  The Roman tool, wielded with precision to control the masses.  A horrible and humiliating way to die.  Then Jesus came.  It is no accident that the Jews were under Roman rule, and that the crucifixion was the Roman way of capital punishment.  It is no accident that the Son of God would die on a tree and that God would take the very thing that man used for evil and turn it to good.  The death of Christ is not a tale of vanity or ability, but of willingness and servitude.  Jesus Christ had more ability and intelligence than any other man before or after.  He had every reason to vaunt himself and promote His own glory, but he didn’t.  He yielded to the will of the Father and was willing to embrace the cross.  How much more should we?  How much less should we boast our accomplishments, or intelligence, or abilities?  God does not need your abilities, he wants your willingness.  The cross, and the crucifixion, the very thing that the most powerful kingdom in the world at that time used to intimidated and punish; God took that and turned it into a symbol of hope and righteousness.  A symbol of life.  Simply because he Son was willing to die.

Is not this an allegory to what he can do in your life?  Is there anything too hard for God?  He can take the sinner and change them into a saint.  He can take the unrighteous and bring righteousness; he can redeem the lost, bring life to the dead; God can drastically change your life.  He can give you a new mind, a new heart, a new purpose, a new direction, and a new home in heaven!  He can change you the same way he changed the cross, through Jesus.  When you embrace the Christ and commit your life to him, you become conformed to His death and married to His purpose.  The selfsame purpose that lead him to the cross; thy will be done.  His will be done.  This is why no flesh can glory in His presence, because we need Him to have any glory.  We need to be saved, and need him to save us, to change us: “to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” (Acts 26:18)