Peace on Heaven and on Earth through the cross of Jesus

STUDIES ON THE CROSS SERIES

(II) Peace on Heaven and on Earth through the cross of Jesus

SCRIPTURE:

And through Christ, God has brought all things back to himself again—things on earth and things in heaven. God made peace through the blood of Christ’s death on the cross.

At one time you were separated from God. You were his enemies in your minds, and the evil things you did were against God. But now God has made you his friends again. He did this through Christ’s death in the body so that he might bring you into God’s presence as people who are holy, with no wrong, and with nothing of which God can judge you guilty. This will happen if you continue strong and sure in your faith. You must not be moved away from the hope brought to you by the Good News that you heard. Colossians 1:20-23

OBSERVATION:

Before the cross, man was separated from God. On our own, we are enemies of God in our own minds. We are rebels, descended from the first human rebels, Adam and Eve, who chose to disobey God and do things their own way instead of God’s way. Because of their greed and selfishness and pride, they chose to take the forbidden fruit, going against the will of the Creator who made them, and because of this, sin entered the world. Each one of us is like them in nature. Deep down inside, we are all rebels, wanting to do our own thing rather than please the Creator God who made us. Without God’s intervention, this heart of rebellion would ultimately lead us to eternal separation from God, which is essentially, a terrible existence in hell, the place completely devoid from any ounce of the goodness of God.  

However, because of God’s incredible mercy, He prepared an amazing plan so that mankind would have a chance to escape this horrible destiny. And this plan, God embodied in the cross, where His only begotten Son was given up as the perfect sacrifice so that men might have their sins forgiven by His blood, and receive the right to become born again as children of God, born not of natural descent or human decision but by the will of Almighty God.

In our limited human wisdom, we simply cannot fully comprehend the marvelous work of Jesus on the cross. The Scripture says that through Christ’s work on the cross, God brought all things back to himself again, things on earth and things in heaven and made peace. What many of us do not realize is that not only is the cross the establishment of the way of salvation for the human race, but also the signing of the eternal death warrant for Satan and all his fallen angels. Through Christ’s death on the cross, every element in rebellion against God whether in Heaven or on earth will be completely removed and cast into hell below the earth, leaving behind only those who love the Lord and they will enjoy perfect peace in fellowship with God. And the complete work of Christ on the cross will come into fruition at His second coming when He establishes His millennial reign on earth!  

When the fall came on earth, the ground was cursed, pain came into life, and even the order of creation was confused. Men had to toil to get fruit from the ground, women began to give birth in pain and animals turned carnivorous and attacked others. In the millennial reign when all things are brought to peace, the Scripture speaks of a lion lying down with a lamb and a little child leading them.

Coming back to God’s relationship with man, the Scripture says that through the cross, God made us his friends again. Through Christ’s work on the cross, we are made holy and blameless before God. How precious it is to be friends with God, to be able to come guiltless before our loving God.

However, Paul reminds us that all this is ours provided that we continue strong and sure in our faith and that we not be moved away from the hope brought to us by the Good News that we heard. The entire Scripture is full of admonishment for the followers of Christ to continue in the faith, to keep true to Jesus, to be faithful until the end.

APPLICATION:-

Meditate on the cross, and appreciate how precious the gift of God that reconciled all Heaven and Earth to Himself, bringing Shalom peace that will enable us to have perfect, beautiful union and fellowship with our living God and all that He has made in Heaven and on earth. Praise God and adore Him for His perfect holy work in the cross. Praise our Lord Jesus for His loving sacrifice for us.

Pray to God for His grace and mercy to help us continue strong and be sure in our faith to the end, never being moved from our precious hope, always trusting in Jesus till the end of our lives. Resolve in our hearts always to be true to the Lord, no matter what. As we remain true to Him, God will give us the grace to overcome every trial and temptation because of His great love!

PRAYER:-

We praise You, precious Heavenly Father, for You created everything, and You blessed everything and You planned to bring everything back to Yourself through the cross of Calvary! We look forward, Lord, with eager anticipation, together with all creation, to the redemption of Heaven and earth, which You will complete at Your Second coming. Strengthen us O Lord. Protect us from deception. Let Your truth ring strong and clear in our hearts. Help us be faithful. Help us never waver and turn away. Help us be true to the faith, and be loyal to You, Lord Jesus. Quicken us, change us, empower us with pray, Lord. Lead us from glory to glory, knowing You deeper and dearer all the more as we look forward to Your coming. We praise You, and bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.