#12 What's A Christian
The Cross That Liberates
He . . . canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us
and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
(Colossians 2:13-14)
The cross means not only that Christ died for us, but that we died with him.
It means that I died to all that Christ died for.
When Paul talks about us dying with Christ, he doesn't mean we are dead. He doesn't mean
those things are dead. He just means that the relationship has been terminated.
I can still visualize one of the happiest days of my life. I was standing on
parade in my Royal Marine uniform. The officer announced, "David Stuart Briscoe, you are now
temporarily dismissed from His Majesty's Royal Marines and may, if you wish, seek civilian employment. But if you
desire to sign on for another seven years, we'll be happy to entertain you.@
I desired very much not to sign on for an additional seven years. I was free!
There was a gentleman there called the Regimental Sergeant Major. He had an
immaculate uniform, a big voice, and a big mouth.
Whenever we saw him coming, our backs would spring up straight. We'd swing our arms to the shoulder, thumb on top, heels dug in. That's what you did when the RSM showed up.
The day I was released I saw the RSM walking toward me. My head sprang up, my
back straightened, I began to march. My arm went to leap up to salute . . . and
a little voice inside me, said, you died to him.
And I said, What?
You died to him.
But he's not dead!
That's right, and you=
re not dead, either.
Well, if he's not dead, and I'm not dead, how could I have died to him?
Simple. You have no further obligation to him, and he has no further
authority over you. So if you= d like,
you can go on marching around like that, swinging your arm up to salute. You'll look very funny, but go right ahead if you want to. But why continue in
subjection to that to which you died?
So a very funny thing happened. My back curled ever so slightly, my hands
found their way deliciously into my pockets - they had not been there for two
long years - I scuffed my heels, and as I walked past the man, I whistled.
He went red, turned to purple, then turned to puce. He couldn't do a thing.
That's what the Cross means. You
died to all that it was necessary for Christ to die for. Why go on in bondage to
it? You don't have to be. You're free! You've been liberated from
all the hurtful things that would take your eyes off Christ.
The next time they come your way, just whistle at=
em. They can't do a thing.
What former slave owners can you now whistle at because of what Christ has
done in setting you free?
Father, thank you that I no longer have any obligation to the things that
used to or would control me if I didn't belong to you, Amen.
Meditations on Living like Christ
1. Read slowly through Romans 5:1-11, thinking about all that believers have
to be joyful about.
2. Ephesians 1:3-14 lists several blessings believers have been given through
Christ. Read the passage aloud several times in the next few weeks, in different
translations, if you can. Each time, pray through the passage, thanking the Lord
for all he has given us in Christ.
3. Read through 1st Thessalonians 4:1-12 a few times and reflect
on the connection between what we believe and how we live.
4. What does 1st Peter 1:13-25 say about how we can become pure
and holy?
5. 1st John 5:13 says that the entire book was written "so that you may know that you have
eternal life.@ The book gives several
ways we can know if someone is truly a believer. As you read through 1st
John, list the characteristics of true children of God.
~Stuart Briscoe~