𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗗.

1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB1995
[18] For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The cross is foolishness, to those who are perishing, those who do not know but for those who know, those who understand the work of the cross, it is the power of God unto salvation, healing and redemption.

They think it foolish because they don’t know and have not experienced it but those who know of its power because our lives have been changed and we know the power of the cross. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡!!! 𝐇𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝, “𝐈𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃!!!"

We don’t want the power of the cross to be missed by anyone who don’t know about it except that it is a Christian sign that they have in churches, a sign they wear around their neck, but the cross is a very powerful force of our deliverance, healing, forgiveness of sin but most of all our reconciliation to God.

The way we respond to the gospel of the cross determines our destiny. How we respond to the message of the cross determines the route we take toward perishing or the route toward being saved.

The separation with God is what brings death to us. Not only physical death but spiritual death which is separation from God, the life of God. It is this separation that makes us purposeless, without meaning. And our pursuit of material things doesn’t truly satisfy us.

So many are alive yet dead to the purpose and reason of our existence because of this separation with God. And God so loved us that He gave His only Son Jesus to pay the debt He did not owe on our behalf on the cross.

John 3:16-18 NASB1995
[16] “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. [18] He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

It is because of this separation that we have become an open target for the enemy, the devil. We become prone to all kinds of health challenges, sickness, diseases, death.

Hebrews 4:2 NASB1995
[2] For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.

We must be united with those who by faith are pursuing God. Be careful which company you follow. Take heed what you hear, take heed how you hear and take heed who you listen to because of the influences around us.

1 Corinthians 15:33 NASB1995
[33] Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

Be loyal to the right company because we will become the company we keep. So if we are to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, be sure we are in the company of those pursuing these same things. If not then we will be derailed from our pursuit.

The gospel did not profit certain ones because they did not unite and join themselves to those who have heard and received by faith. The company we keep will determine our destiny. Choose our friends wisely. Choose the friends that are in hot pursuit of God. Be among those who are passionate for God uncompromisingly.

Don’t go about with people who are always opposing the leadership and the truth, people who are depraved in their mind. We must be united in our faith with those who are of faith. We must mix our faith with theirs. We win or lose by the friends we choose.

Luke 23:26-43 NASB1995
[26] When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. [27] And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him. [28] But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. [29] For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ [30] Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ [31] For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” [32] Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him. [33] When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. [34] But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. [35] And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” [36] The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, [37] and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” [38] Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” [39] One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” [40] But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? [41] And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” [42] And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” [43] And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Just like the two criminals or the two thieves hanging next to Jesus, the gospel comes to us the same as Jesus was hanging on the cross between the two and portrayed to the crowd. How would we respond? The crowd that cried out crucify Him, the thief that was cynical and skeptical? Or the thief that says to Jesus, “Remember me when You come in Your Kingdom!"

What about Barabbas? Jesus took the place of Barabbas. Barabbas received freedom without asking for it, yet he simply received freedom and walked out of condemnation. Barabbas did not debate or was cynical or skeptical but he just accepted the pardon he got because Jesus took his place and he walked free.

Our responses to the message of the cross is crucial. Do not be cynical or skeptical about what you are hearing concerning the power of the cross. Which of these two criminals’ responses are we responding with? One of the criminals was echoing the sneer and the mockery of the rulers, the soldiers and some in the crowd.

The other responded to the forgiveness of Jesus. How are we responding to the forgiveness of Christ on the cross today? That criminal experienced the open heaven immediately being caught up with Christ into paradise. We cannot enter into the open heaven if we have not lived under the open heaven.

The thief believed in Jesus' who lived under the open heaven and when Jesus entered into paradise he entered together with Him. When we believe in Him, He came that we may have life and have it abundantly.

IT IS FINISHED! The last words of Jesus before He bowed His head and gave up His human spirit.

John 19:30 NASB1995
[30] Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “IT IS FINISHED!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

THE POWER OF THE CROSS IS THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST ON THE EARTH destroying the power of sin and death, and disarming the powers of the darkness over our lives!

Jesus has done it all! We are only to respond to all that He did! To believe, to confess, embrace ALL that He has done! There is nothing more you and I can do! This is where we begin, at the FINISHED WORK of our LORD JESUS CHRIST!

John 10:8-10 NASB1995
[8] All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. [9] I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Who are we opening our lives to? Who are we responding to? Who has influenced our responses? Who do we listen to?

Jesus said,”My sheep hear My voice." When we respond to His voice we will enter the Door through Him because He is the Door, the entry into a life of abundance.

To whom we hear and listen to we will respond. And who we respond to will determine who comes to us. The thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy or Jesus who comes to give us life and life abundantly. Today when we hear His word do not harden your heart but respond by receiving what He has done in our stead and walk free as Barabbas.

Respond this day with an openness and repentant heart, believe, be and live in the Lord Jesus the Christ Who lived under an open heaven, Who entered into the open heaven, Who is looking at us though the open heaven to give us a life of abundance under the open heaven, that we too may enter into the open heaven with Him, and be seated together with Him in the heavenly places to rule and reign with Him!

We can experience what we have heard from our brethrens. We don’t have to hear and wish we can be the same or the same thing can happen to us. When we respond in the same way by believing, by being and living, what others are experiencing under the open heavens, the abundant life, the victorious life, is ours as well!!!