The Cross

Scripture: 

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Observation:

This scripture is probably the simplest representation of the Gospel message in all the Bible. I have been studying  the Gospel for months now in an attempt to really understand it for myself. 

When Jesus died on the cross, he traded places with me, he took my place as a sinner and paid that price (the wrath of God), while I got to have the righteousness of Christ, and eternal salvation that comes along with that. 

Application:

Ok. So what do I have to do? Do I say a sinners prayer, do I get baptized, do I get circumsized, do I ask Jesus into my heart? No! This is what Jesus said we must do,(Matthew 16:24-25) "if any of you wants to be my follower, you must (1)turn from your selfish ways, (2)take up your cross and (3)follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Jesus also said, (Mark 1:15) "...(1)REPENT of your sins and (2)BELIEVE the Good news!"

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for taking my place on the cross, thank you for letting God punish you instead of me! I will spend eternity trying to understand why you would do that for me. Thank you... Please teach me how to give this message to the lost, in an uncompromising way. Let me preach it the way Jesus did! In Jesus name, Amen!