Romans 8:28-39 (excerpts)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Devotion
Christ’s death on the cross is meaningful for humans in many aspects. According to scripture, Jesus’ death on the cross was an act of redemption for humanity’s sins. Jesus willingly sacrificed himself, taking the punishment that humans deserved for their sins, and in doing so, he made it possible for humans to be forgiven and reconciled with God.
The cross sets us free in several ways. It frees us from the guilt and shame of our sins. We no longer have to carry the burden of our wrongdoing because Jesus has already paid the price for us. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to live a new life in Christ and resist the temptation to sin. It sets us free from the fear of death because we know that through faith in Jesus, we have eternal life with God.
The cross also presents us with various challenges. It challenges us to take sin seriously and reject it. It pushes us to follow Jesus’ selfless behavior and demonstrate a readiness to endure pain for the benefit of others. It also pushes us to practice our faith in real life, love our neighbors as we love ourselves, and look for mercy and justice in the world.
Prayer
Dear God, we are grateful for the forgiveness and freedom that Jesus’ death and resurrection have given us. As we reflect on the meaning of the cross, we recognize the challenges it presents us. Help us to take sin seriously and to turn away from it. Give us the courage to follow Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice and to be willing to suffer for the sake of others. May the power of the cross inspire us to live out our faith in practical ways, to love our neighbors, and to seek justice and mercy in the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Ginny Ramsey