Sunday, April 11, 2010

Nailed to The Cross


Colossians 2:9-17 (New International Version)

 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, 

who is the head over every power and authority.
11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, 

not with a circumcision done by the hands of men 
but with the circumcision done by Christ, 
12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised 
with him through your faith in the power of God, 
who raised him from the dead.
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the 
uncircumcision of your sinful nature, 
God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, 
that was against us and that stood opposed to us; 
he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, 
he made a public spectacle of them, 
triumphing over them by the cross.
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you 
by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, 
a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; 
the reality, however, is found in Christ.

= = = 0 0 0 = = =

Nailed to The Cross

It was a touching church service that day. Our Pastor talked about Jesus taking our sins upon Himself and dying in our place to take our punishment. He asked if anyone still felt guilt over confessed sins and was therefore not enjoying the forgiveness of God.

The Pastor then asked us to write sin or sins on a piece of paper, walk to the front of the church, and nail the paper to the cross that was placed there. Many went forward, and you could hear the pounding of nails for several minutes. That act didn’t give us forgiveness at all, of course, but it was a physical reminder that Jesus had already taken those sins of Himself as He hung on the cross and died for each one of us. So, basically this action was to make the audience to understand that “all of our sins” were nailed to the cross with Jesus.

That’s exactly what the Apostle Paul taught to the Church at Colosse. The people were being influenced by false teachers who presented Christ as less than adequate for their needs. But Paul explained that Jesus paid the price for our sins and for our freedom from the accusations of the devil about our past. Paul said, “Having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 3:14).

John the Apostle said, “But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9). We don’t need to hold on to the guilt and the accusations that the Satan does against us.  Our sins have been nailed to the cross; they’ve been taken away, Jesus has forgiven them all and He paid the highest price of all, shedding His own blood on the cross for you and me.

But you have to accept Jesus Christ in your heart as your personal Lord and Savior, because He is the only Way that can secure your future in eternity. Have you thought what’s going to happen to you after you pass away?  Only the Name of Jesus and His blood has the power to make you free, to save you and to make you clean in the presence of the Almighty and Holy God. See what the Bible says: 

“By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is 'the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.' Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this One." (Acts 4:10-12 The Message). 

"Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:16-18 N.L.T.) – Also, 

“For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped  you.”  Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2 N.L.T.)

Prayer of Salvation - Say It! and Mean It Now!

Do you agree with everything you have read so far? If you do, don't wait a moment longer to start your new life in Jesus Christ. Pray this with us out loud:

"Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Prayer of Salvation - I've Prayed It; Now What?

If you've prayed this prayer of salvation with true conviction and heart, you are now a follower of Jesus. This is a fact, whether or not you feel any different. Religious systems may have led you to believe that you should feel something - a warm glow, a tingle, or some other mystical experience. The fact is, you may, or you may not. If you have prayed the prayer of salvation and meant it, you are now a follower of Jesus. The Bible tells us that your eternal salvation is secure! "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Welcome to the family of God! We encourage you now to find a local church where you can be baptized and grow in the knowledge of God through His Word, the Bible.

Remember: Your Sins Were Nailed to the Cross!

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