[DAY 14 of 21] "The Journey To Your Restoration ~ Keep Your Eyes Upon The Cross & Him Crucified"

It was very interesting to me as I read this passage of scripture, how the Apostle Paul presented himself at the start of the text. I tried to be creative in my mind as  I began to draw a picture of what he must have been encountering at the time of this recording. I saw a picture of him at that point where he must have had some flash backs of his own personal life by the response that he gave. It was an indication to me also that as one progresses in life along the journey to restoration, there will be many challenges – hard enough that we still at times struggle with the guilt and shame of our past experiences, it is even harder when we are constantly reminded by others.

But nonetheless, like the Apostle Paul, let us be ready at all times to put the record straight and to keep our minds’ eyes upon the cross and Him [Christ] crucified there, lest we ourselves are reminded of the things past. First, be ready to present ourselves clothed in a garment of humility. And in our defence, let God’s truth be made known to the world, not as though we have great learning and excellency of speech or wisdom with enticing fancy words, but let us purposely choose to forget about everything else except Jesus Christ, especially His death on the cross. 

Keep our eyes upon the cross and the place that brought the whole world to a stand still over 2000 years ago! At the cross – the ‘ground is level.’ [no titles, no positions, no degrees and resume of anyone’s accomplishment] The cross is where the worst of man meets the very best of God. It is where the ‘ugliness’ of a man’s heart comes into direct contact with the purest of divinity. Scripture recalls it to be the place where two thieves hung (one on Christ’s left, the other on His right) and while one gloated in ridicule and infamy, the other cried unto Jesus, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom,” proving that the cross is where the highest personality in philosophy forgives sinners and discharges debtors! (Luke 23:43)

On this our journey, the cross and the one crucified upon it for our sakes opens for us the doorway of deliverance, the pathway of peace, the roadway of righteousness, the highway of holiness, the gateway of glory where the promise of God is sure. The cross is where flesh bows its’ knees to the Spirit of the living God, that even when folks don’t do right by you and I, we can still say like Jesus, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” The cross as scripture recalls, met a woman at the well, and when everyone else looked down upon her, she seized that moment and surrendered her life to Christ completely. She was then placed on the path to her purpose and to walk into her destiny. (John 4: 6-30) The cross can get you out of the pit and bring you into the palace before the King of kings, that even when folk look the other way from you, God sees you as His golden treasure, the apple of His eyes, His precious jewel carrying His Royal Blood and His DNA (Divine Natural Ability) It is all at the cross!

What shall we say to all these things? Clearly, if God be for us, then who can be against us? The answer, nothing or no one! For years there was a woman as described to us in scripture who had a particular issue, an issue of blood. (Luke 8:43-48) But one day she became really sick and tired of the flesh mates who after she had spent all that she had with them, in the end, they really could not help her. She heard of the deliverer and the healer who was passing by and she said if only she could touch the hem of His garment, if only she could get her finger prints on where the strategy and the solution to her problem was, then her finger prints would be there upon investigation of the matter. Once traced back to her she thought, then no one else could claim and receive her blessing and that MIRACLE OF RESTORATION. 

And so we see, in the final analysis, there comes a time in our lives when we’ve got to make up in our minds to do what is necessary, what’s right and prudent and what would get God’s immediate attention to move on our behalf. Be willing to push our way past the noise of the crowd and the challenges that life presents us with each day. The journey would at times get rough yes but, it is attainable. The process to perfection (Matthew 5:48) is never instant yet it is highly possible and, as long as you and I continue to keep our eyes upon the cross and on Him crucified upon it, we will cross over to the finish together. 

Blessings and love!