The Cross of Christ

SAVED BY THE LIFE

Christ is the present Saviour of all men. He is the “Lamb slaying from the foundation of the world.” John says, “If any man sin, we have an Advocate [or Comforter] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation [sacrifice] for our sins.” 1 John 2:1, 2. Him “God hath set forth to be a propitiation [sacrifice] through faith in His blood.” Romans 3:24. His blood is now shed for us; He is now lifted up for us. The knowledge that the cross is set up in every heart, that He crucified for us, makes a delight of the crosses which come to us, all the burdens to be born, all the habits to be given up, which are as taking our life, because they are our life. The knowledge that now Christ is crucified for us, that now are we crucified with Him, not in fancy but in fact, makes the presence of the cross a joy to us, for there we find Christ, and are brought into fellowship with His death, and live with Him. Being reconciled by His blood, we know we shall be saved by His life. To take up the cross is to take Him. To deny self is to own Him. To crucify self indeed is to take His life, and the life we live with Him is not one of hardness and discomfort, and the performance of disagreeable duties for the sake of joy by and by, but it is the constant springing up of life and joy; so that with joy and not groaning we draw water from the wells of salvation. It makes all the difference when we have His cross. “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; an everlasting joy shall be upon their head.” Isaiah 51:11. CRCH 8.1