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APRIL: The Cross of Christ

April 25

A NEW NATURE

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
2 Corinthians 5:17

The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ makes an entire change. You are “not under the law,” Paul says, “but under grace” (Romans 6:14). You who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and His death upon the cross have been taken from that position; you are in an entirely new position. You are under grace, and grace is unmerited favor. It is kindness shown to people who deserve nothing but punishment. Grace means that God, because He is God, looks upon us with favor when we do not deserve anything at all. That is what “under grace” means. It means that God is no longer just a lawgiver to you—He is your Father. He is your Father who loves you with an everlasting love. He is your Father who looks upon you and desires to bless you. He is the one who says, “You are My child—I am your Father. I will give you My own nature. I will count the very hairs of your head. I will number them all. Nothing shall happen to you apart from Me.” That is what it means to be under grace.

Do you see the difference? It is the difference between being in a relationship of law and a relationship of love. You are in an entirely new position, and the cross puts you there. You are under grace, and you do not tremble before God with a craven fear. You know that though you are unworthy, He is your Father, and you say, "My Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come.” And you know that He looks upon you with a smile. You know that He is patient, that He is long-suffering. You know that He is determined to bring you back to the perfection in which He originally made you, and that all the forces of His love and grace and
compassion are working in your favor.

A Thought to Ponder
It is the difference between being in a relationship of law and a relationship of love.

From The Cross, pp. 189-190.





Today’s devo is taken from Walking with God Day by Day © 2003 by Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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