The Power of the Cross: Why Jesus Took Sin, Not You
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” —2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
What Really Happened at the Cross
From the beginning, sin brought death. Adam could not die apart from sin. But when Jesus came, He didn’t just teach truth—He was the truth. Yet people rejected Him.
Why did they reject Him? Because arrogance blinds the heart. Many were so fixed on their own ideas that they missed God standing right in front of them. The best preaching this world ever heard didn’t come from a pulpit—it came from the Lord Himself. Still, they chose to crucify Him.
That reality should sober us. It reveals how human pride can be so strong that it blinds us even to God Himself.
Religion Isn’t the Same as Knowing Him
The devil doesn’t mind if people attend church. In fact, he encourages it, as long as they don’t actually shine with Christ’s love. He will let us sing songs and sit in pews if we stay weighed down by struggles, offenses, and discouragement.
True Christianity is more than attendance. It is Christlikeness. It is living in His love, showing mercy, making peace, and persevering through trials. When church activity replaces knowing Him, we are deceived into thinking we are spiritual while staying unchanged.
The Gift We Must Open
On the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” He who knew no sin became sin so we could receive His righteousness. That gift is free, but like any gift, it must be opened.
Too often we treat righteousness like a present left unopened under the tree. Instead of tearing it open and receiving it with joy, we let it sit there while still struggling with guilt and shame. Yet Jesus offers righteousness so we can reign in life—here and now—not just in heaven someday.
God Cursed Sin, Not His Son
When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent, it symbolized God cursing the very thing that was killing the people. In the same way, Jesus became the pole upon which sin itself was cursed. God didn’t curse His Son—He cursed sin in the flesh.
That is why Scripture says, “By his stripes we are healed.” Healing flows from this revelation. As a result, guilt, condemnation, and shame no longer have the right to define you. Instead of wondering if God is punishing you, you can rest in the truth that He already judged sin at the cross.
Your Fight Isn’t Against Sin—It’s About Faith
Romans 6 explains that the death Jesus died, He died to sin once for all. Through baptism, we were buried with Him into death and raised to new life. Therefore, the fight we face today is not against sin itself but the fight of faith—believing we are who God says we are.
Complaining, discouragement, and offense are signs we are still living for ourselves. However, when we truly deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him, we live for God’s glory instead of our own comfort.
Holy Means a Cut Above
The Bible calls us holy—set apart, sanctified, and a cut above. That doesn’t mean better than others; it means different because of Christ. We now carry a peace the world cannot explain and a love deeper than human understanding.
This is the true mark of Christianity. It is not just going to church but becoming Christlike—shining in our homes, our workplaces, and our daily lives.
Closing Thought
Christianity isn’t about doing more—it’s about believing what Jesus already finished. He bore sin so you could live free. He took your shame so you could live holy. He gave His life so you could shine with His.
The cross didn’t just change your eternity—it can change your today.