Footsteps #73.

The cross changes everything for the believer. It challenges us not only to re-evaluate how we view ourselves but also how we relate to a world in opposition to God; this present evil age (1John.2:16). Because we have died with Christ, the world no longer has the enslaving power it once held over us, and the old life that we once lived for the world is no longer. Following Paul’s analogy, the break between the believer and the world should be as if the two died to each other. 

Having emphasized the centrality of the cross of Christ to the Christian life (Gal 6.14), Paul now emphasizes the second fundamental tenet of his gospel message: justification by faith (Gal 6.15).  

As we have seen, Paul basically has pitted circumcision against the gospel. Yet, he’s not against the practice itself. Paul has made several strong statements against circumcision, but he does not want the Galatians to conclude that being uncircum­cised is more pleasing to God than being circumcised. That is not his point, because one can be just as legalistic about what one does as about what one doesn’t do! Spiritually speaking, the issue of circumci­sion by itself is irrelevant. True religion is not rooted in external behaviour but in the condition of the human heart. As Jesus Himself said, a person can look wonderful on the outside but be spiritually rotten on the inside (Matt.23:27).  

The cross of Calvary challenges, and will finally vanquish every earthly and evil power. In the cross all influence centres, and from it, all influence goes forth. It is the great centre of attraction; for on it Christ gave up His life for the human race! This sacrifice was offered for the purpose of restoring humanity to its original perfection. But more than that it was offered to give him an entire transforma­tion of character, making him more than a conqueror. 

Through generation succeeding generation, Christ on the cross was the medium whereby mercy and truth met together, and righteousness and peace kissed each other. (Ps85:10) This is the means that is to move the world in the final blaze of glory described in Rev.18:1