4 November, 2024

Look to the Cross

by | 29 January, 2024 | 3 comments

By Margaret Bellers 

How easily we judge others for their mistakes and failures! Yet, how quickly we become bitter when someone sins against us! When these things occur, the church can quickly transform into a place of judgment and hurt instead of a place of love and unity.  

God notices our sin too. He sees how we hurt others. He sees how we hide and lie to cover our shame and guilt. He sees how quickly we judge. He sees the bitterness that takes root in our hearts when we’re hurt. In fact, “nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” (Hebrews 4:13). 

But when God sees our sin, he does not respond with judgment or bitterness as we tend to do. Instead, he looks to Jesus’ work on the cross. Every sin, the hidden and the hurtful, the big and the small, was taken care of by God’s own Son. Jesus is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) 

When we are confronted with our sins or the sins of others, we can look to the cross too. Instead of defining ourselves and others by our mistakes and failures, we can define each other by Jesus’ perfect work. When sin leaves us hurt and disillusioned, we can turn our eyes upon Jesus, who brought redemption and peace through his death. We can forgive, not based on feeling or willpower, but based on the wonderful truth of Calvary.  

Today we take Communion together, remembering that “he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). 

As we eat and drink, let us not focus on ourselves or others; instead, let us fix our eyes on Jesus. When we remember Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, we can know that we’re unified by what he’s done, not by what we’ve done.  

While sin threatens to tear us apart, Jesus’ death on Calvary continues to knit us back together. What an honor it is to find ourselves side by side at the foot of the cross! What a privilege to be unified by Jesus’ completed and perfect work! 

Margaret Bellers lives with her husband in Michigan. While often bed-bound with chronic migraines, she hopes to be able to serve others through her writing.  

3 Comments

  1. Scott Latimore

    I used this this week. It is so true and powerful. Thank you for making it available

  2. Tommy

    Very good read and it’s so true. Thank you for sharing. I pray for your chronic migraines. My wife deals with that same thing everyday. God bless you!

  3. Ugochi

    So true. I pray for God’s healing on you. Thank you for this piece!

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

CCLF Concluding Strong First Year in Greater Cincinnati

In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

November 10 Study | I Pledge Allegiance

God’s people should be crystal clear about their allegiance. They play to an audience of one. So they must be very careful of other allegiances. For the believers in the seven churches, that meant coming out from the pagan influences of the culture.

November 10 | Discovery Questions

These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Battle is the Lord’s” (Revelation 17:1-2, 6, 18; 18:1-10), by Mark Scott.

Rescued

Each of us is an individual Titanic. We may, in our pride and self-sufficiency, think that we are uniquely grand and unsinkable. But each of us has already struck the iceberg of sin. It’s only a matter of time. But wait. God has provided a lifeboat for anyone who wants to be rescued.

Reasons to Be Grateful

Let’s honor God in this season as we give thanks for our blessings, as we celebrate our salvation, and as we take the gospel to the world.

Follow Us