The cross and crucifixion was not an uncommon site at the time of the Roman empire. It's still acknowledged today as one of the cruelest methods of death and 

they had it down to a science. They were able to predict within four hours the exact time a person would expire. It often took days. That was then, 

this is now. How can it possibly relate to us today?

The Cross is universally recognized as the symbol of Christianity. In truth, what the cross of Christ symbolizes is inseparable from the Christian faith. 

It's what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross that distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. It's what makes it possible for everyone and anyone to be forgiven and come into a right relationship with God. In reality it's a symbol of hope and possiblity for all.

The relevance and purpose of the Cross as it pertains to relationship with God finds its origin in the Holy Scriptures. The Bible is the sole source of all true Christian faith. It's the foundation upon which our believing is based. It's there we find the significance of the Cross and Lord Jesus Christ's death upon it.

The Bible is by no means a new document nor is Christianity a new religion. There's a lot of history. In the past many have purposed to discredit the Bible. 

It remains with us today and continues to endure the scrutiny of sceptics with its prophetic accuracy.

Lives changed is what brings such powerful credibility to the Bible. For me to deny the awesome, wonderful changes that have come into my life since receiving Jesus Christ as my personal Savior would be to lie.

To understand the Cross requires that we first look at 

its reason. Everything we can and cannot see is the 

result of God's creativity. People are His creation. He 

is the Supreme One with a divine plan and purpose 

for all He has made. Nothing is by accident.

To understand the present state of affairs in the earth 

we need to resort to God's manual, the Bible. Why is 

there sickness, disease, poverty and death? Why do 

people kill each other, steal from one another, lie to 

each other? Why do we show such disrespect for other 

human being of different nationalities? Why do we 

have subcultures and why have we had such ruthless, 

savage leaders who have sought to annihilate others?

This kind of behavior is clearly under God's judgment. 

This does not represent God's eternal Kingdom at all.

Dogs bark because they're dogs. Cats meow because they're cats. People sin because they're sinners. Our social and moral problems are the direct result of heart decease.

"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jer 17:9)  Let's take a look at "human nature". Doing so helps to understand the desperate need we have to be changed.

Our natural Human Nature 

evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, foolishness, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, gossip, backstabbing, hating God, insolent, proud, boastful, disobedient to parents, breaking promises, heartless, unforgiving, impure thinking, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild partying, greedy, rage, malicious behavior, slander, dirty language

Mk.7:20-23; Rom.1:29,30; Gal.5:17-21; Eph. 4:19-22,31; Col.3:5-8

Death is one thing all humanity has in common. It respects no one. Regardless of nationality, education, politics, riches or power, all of us will eventually experience the termination of physical life. Heb 9:27 - And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment. It's the judgment that follows death that we need to seriously consider. 

The Cross of Christ addresses the issue of God's judgment against sin. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. That's people like you and I. "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged." (2Cor. 5:10)  To some it seems that death is an escape from a personal hell on earth to others it terminates a life of pleasures. Whatever the case judgment faces us all. The Cross 

of Christ can change the outcome of our judgment.

God is just and as a result will not ignor sin. It must be dealt with in all fairness. It must be judged and not just swept under the carpet. The Cross of Christ is where God's justice and mercy meet. 

Sin positions humanity in spiritual weakness. They are unable to correct the sinful nature they are born with. Because of God's love He chose to supply them a Savior. He sent His only Son into the human family to be a sacrificial substitute for them. Jesus the sinless Son of God took upon Himself humanities sin. He  endured physical death on their behalf paying in full the punishment for their sins. On the Cross Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves.

Because of Jesus' death on the Cross there is hope for all. Through Christ we can be saved from our sins. 

Had Jesus not been the holy Son of God He would have remained in the grave, dead, lifeless and unable to save anyone. It was impossible for death to place it's eternal hold on Christ. Jesus had obeyed fully His Father's will. He had paid in full the price required to free us from the penalty of death and as result He was raised from the dead and remains today the Savior. 

Jesus is the only One who shed His life's blood in accordance to the Father's purpose therefore He has earned the right to be the only Savior. Act 4:12 - There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Jesus is the sacrifice provided by the Father to pay in full sin's penalty. Jesus is the Savior the Father gave.

Who ever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Jesus paid in full the price required to the penalty for our sin. Now what God requires of us is that we individually and personally turn to Christ for forgiven and that we receive Him as our Lord and Savior. It's only when we turn to Jesus that we are able to receive personally what He has done for us.

It is when we turn to Christ, fully believing and embracing Him as our Saviour that we are then able to experience the spiritual rebirth He gives. Jesus said that unless we are "Born Again" we will neither see nor enter the eternal kingdom of God. It is the risen Savior who gives us a new spiritual heart, one that is fully accepted of the Father and one capable of causing us to live lives that are pleasing to the Father. It is Jesus that gives us His "new life" to experience and enjoy.

For further information about receiving new life click here.  

You'll find a lot of helpful material on our New Life Realities Website:  www.newliferealities.ca

Our email address is:  newliferealities@gmail.com