The Cross of Christ # 6

The Cross of Christ # 6

(a) Are you living in any kind of sin? Are you following the course of this world, and neglecting your soul? "Behold the Cross." See there how Jesus loved you! See there what Jesus suffered to prepare for you a way of salvation. Yes! for you that blood was shed! For you those hands and feet were pierced with nails! For you that body hung in agony on the Cross! You are those whom Jesus loved, and for whom He died!  Surely the thought of the Cross should draw you to repentance. Oh, that it might be so this very day! Come, and this very day you shall have eternal life! How will you ever escape if you neglect so great salvation? None surely will be so deep in hell as those who despise the Cross!

(b) Are you inquiring the way toward heaven? Are you seeking salvation - but doubtful whether you can find it? Are you doubting that Christ will receive you? To you also I say this day, "Behold the Cross of Christ." Here is encouragement if you really want it. Draw near to the Lord Jesus with boldness, for nothing need keep you back. His arms are open to receive you - His heart is full of love towards you. He has made a way by which you may approach Him with confidence. Think of the Cross. Draw near, and fear not.

(c) Are you an unlearned man? Are you desirous to get to heaven, and perplexed and brought to a stand-still by difficulties in the Bible which you cannot explain? To you also I say this day, "Behold the Cross of Christ". Read there the Father's love and the Son's compassion. Surely they are written in great plain letters, which none can mistake. What though at present you cannot reconcile your own utter corruption and your own responsibility? Look at the Cross. Does not that Cross tell you that Jesus is a mighty, loving, ready Saviour? Does it not make one thing plain, and that is that it is all your own fault if you are not saved? Oh, get hold of the truth, and hold it fast!

(d) Are you a distressed believer? Is your heart pressed down with sickness, tried with disappointments, overburdened with cares? To you also I say, "Behold the Cross of Christ?" Think whose hand it is that chastens you. It is the hand of Him who was crucified! It is the same hand which in love to your soul was nailed to the accursed tree. Surely that thought should comfort and hearten you. Surely you should say to yourself, "A crucified Saviour will never lay upon me anything that is not for my good. It must be well."

(e) Are you a believer that longs to be more holy? Are you one that finds his heart too ready to love earthly things? To you also I say, "Behold the Cross of Christ." Look at the Cross, think of the Cross, meditate on the Cross, and then go and set your affections on the world if you can. I believe that holiness is nowhere learned so well as on Calvary. I believe you cannot look much at the Cross without feeling your will sanctified, and your tastes made more spiritual. The Cross darkens the false splendor of this world. Keep on every day steadily looking at the Cross of Christ, and you will soon say of the world, as the poet does - 

Its pleasures now no longer please,
No more content afford;
Far from my heart be joys like these,
Now I have seen the Lord.

As by the light of opening day
The stars are all concealed,
So earthly pleasures fade away
When Jesus is revealed.

(f) Are you a dying believer? Are you drawing near to that solemn hour, when soul and body must part for a season, and you must launch into a world unknown? Oh, look steadily at the Cross by faith, and you shall be kept in peace! Fix the eyes of your mind firmly on Jesus crucified, and He shall deliver you from all your fears. Though you walk through dark places, He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Sit under the shadow of the Cross to the very last, and its fruit shall be sweet to your taste. "Ah," said a dying missionary, "there is but one thing needful on a death-bed, and that is to feel one's arms around the Cross!"

I lay these thoughts before you. What you think now about the Cross, I cannot tell. But I can wish you nothing better than this - that you may be able to say with the Apostle Paul, before you die or meet the Lord, "God forbid that I should boast - except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!"

~J. C. Ryle~

(The End)