The Offence of the Cross

Salvation Is By Faith From First to Last

“And, I, Brethren, if I yet preach Circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offence of the Cross ceased” (Galatians 5:11).

The Apostle Paul is saying in our introductory verse that those opposed to the Gospel of Grace were angry with him because they taught that you must be circumcised to be a Christian. And they advocated following the Law of Moses as necessary for Salvation. Paul firmly preached that the Gospel is completely by Grace and that man’s efforts did not play any part in Salvation. In other words, Salvation is by Grace from first to last.

Some in the church had been saved by faith in Christ and Him crucified, but were now trying to be sanctified by works of the flesh. This was diametrically opposed to the Gospel Paul preached. It could have destroyed the church had he not confronted this teaching and shown it to be a dangerous false way.

We face a similar problem in the church today. Many are pursuing sanctification by their own efforts. This is not what Paul preached and will not bring forth anything but defeat in our Christian walk. We cannot in our own strength walk out this Christian life in victory.

Prayer, church attendance, Bible reading, and all the other Christian Disciplines are important and should be adhered to, but they will not defeat the sin in our lives.

Jesus came to pay the price owed to God for the sin debt. By His death at Calvary, we are forgiven of our sins and walk in victory all by faith. What does that mean to walk by faith for victory in our Christian life? Jesus not only paid the price for sin but defeated sin as a result of the Cross. Our victory over sin comes by faith in His finished work at Calvary.

As we have just seen, victory in our lives comes strictly by faith realizing that sin was defeated at the Cross. Sin has no power over us any longer. We are dead to sin as Romans chapter 6 tells us. But how do we realize this in our lives? We realize it through the victory that Christ won for us at the Cross. By placing our faith in Christ and Him crucified our victory is assured.

When we make Christ and Him crucified the object of our faith daily the Holy Spirit will work mightily in our lives bringing us victory over sin. Christ won the victory and defeated sin. Our job is to believe it and come by faith in His finished work.

The Apostle Paul had to learn this the hard way which he documents in Romans chapter 7. He thought that now that he was a Christian he could walk out a life of victory in his own strength. He soon realized the impossibility of this and, in desperation cried out “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” A cry of desperation for sure, but he had the answer in crying “Who.”

Paul realized that deliverance can only come through the “One” who paid the price for our Redemption. He then gives us the answer that he found, which is the only answer. He says in the very next verse, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Paul had his answer, and so do we. Romans 8:2 shows us the way to this victory:

“For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Chris Jesus has made me free from the Law of Sin and Death” (Romans 8:2)

The “Law of God,” which is the most powerful Law in the world, works through the Holy Spirit as our faith is placed in Christ and Him crucified. This gives us victory over the “Law of Sin and Death.” We are to walk in the full Salvation the Lord provides. We are saved by Grace through faith, and we are sanctified by Grace through faith. The Lord has done it all and we come to Him in thanksgiving for His Mercy and Grace that has provided us with such a wonderful Salvation.

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord (by faith), so ye walk ye in Him (By faith). Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith (by faith from first to last), as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving (blessed beyond measure)” Colossians 2:6,7 commentary mine).

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Prayer Changes Things

The Lord wants us to come to Him with all our needs. Prayer requests can be left on the comments page of this website.

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers…” (1 Peter 3:12).

The Lord hears our prayers and is faithful to answer.

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2024