04/03/2023 – Three Days That Can Transform Your Life – The Crucifixion
Romans 6: 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
The disciples had learned much and had changed in many ways in the three years that they walked with Christ; but their transformation was concentrated in a period of three days: from the crucifixion to the resurrection of Christ. We will explore the importance of these three miracles in our lives.
These three miracles: the death, burial and resurrection of Christ must be applied by the Holy Spirit to your life for you to be saved and experience new life in Christ. These are the three greatest miracles of God in your life. Unless you experience these three days in your life, it really does not matter how many years you admire Christ, you benefit from Him, you talk about Him. These are the three days that make you into a child of God.
Day 1: The crucifixion. This is the day that you come before the cross of Christ admitting to your sin and sinful condition, seeking forgiveness, and trusting only Christ for redemption. This is the day you recognize that there is NOTHING you can do to earn or add to your salvation.
The cross exposes our sin. Before our sins are removed, they are exposed to God and to us. Christ knows our sins- every single one…because He bore them, He lived our shame. The Spirit convicts us through the power of the cross. Everyone’s sin was exposed when Christ was crucified: the religious leaders were exposed for the hypocrites they were…carefully keeping the minute details of the written law but disregarding the most important ones: love and justice. The Roman empire was exposed for their cruelty. The multitude was exposed for their selfishness. The disciples were exposed for their unbelief. Their faith was not complete- they could not believe in the power of Christ over death.
There is much good in you by the grace of God…but exposing the sin that remains is more important than seeking reward for the good. Therefore, we must go to the cross every day.