christianity – Life Beyond Horizons

Upon Which Cross

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53: 5-6

Wise words and prophetic insight as we are blessed by Isaiah in his pronouncements dating back more than six hundred years before the birth of Christ as he points towards the Messiah. His words focus a necessary reminder that we, like sheep, have gone astray as we pursue our own path in this life. The prophets of the Old Testament pointed forward to Jesus, yet many to this day deny the Savior and follow the broad path that leads to destruction.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4

The wisest of all rulers, the King of Israel, son of David, whose reign spanned a time more than nine hundred years before Christ, delivers the ecclesiastical knowledge outlining the seasons of our lives. Solomon goes on to show that God has set eternity in the human heart, we are not the finite gathering of organisms that accidentally discovered life only to live and die, returning to nothing. We are eternal beings designed by our Creator, yet we cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. However, included in this summary of life is the reminder found later in chapter 3, verse 15, as the final seasons pass, “…God will call the past to account.“

From the beginning we know that God used many prophets of old to cast the eyes of creation towards the coming of Jesus. Isaiah, Moses, Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah – and more throughout time – all shared these God-given insights of hope for mankind that Jesus was coming. In beautiful contrast, the New Testament announces the good news of our Messiah’s arrival.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3: 17

Through this we know that God has not forsaken us in this fallen world. To the contrary, God sent Jesus into this world with one mission – to give his life as a sacrifice for all. He was crushed for our iniquities. Upon that cross, Jesus demonstrated perfect obedience to God’s plan as he gave his life to atone for our sins. On either side of Christ was a thief receiving their own punishment for crimes against the Roman Empire.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked the first, “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23: 39-43

These verses from the Gospel of Luke represent the perfection of God’s love for all mankind. This moment in time reflects the entirety of the Gospel message – the Good News – as it demonstrates the availability of redemption to anyone and everyone without exception.

What we see transcends words as it puts all promises into action. The scene described is the apogee of the earthly ministry of Jesus culminating at the cross. Having been savagely beaten and stripped of all humanity, Jesus is suspended on a cross between two criminals, fulfilling his purpose by giving his life as a sacrifice for all. To one side a thief mocks him, but to the other side, we see a man acquiesce to his own guilt – “we are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve” – and in one lucid pronouncement, he professes his faith while acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

It is candid and compelling – and it speaks to everyone inclusively – it doesn’t matter who you are, what your social status may be, or what you may have done. In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul explains the path to salvation in direct yet simple terms.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10: 9-10

All paths lead to the cross for all of mankind, from the prophets looking forward, to modern day as we look to what Christ has done for us. The question becomes, upon which cross do we align?

Pause on this scenario for a moment; three crosses, Jesus front and center, with one thief on each side. Understanding that every word in the Bible is purposeful – look at what this specifically aligned scene represents to us. Jesus has already proclaimed that he is the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through him. Therefore, Jesus is presented as the sacrifice, the lamb led to the slaughter, taking our sins upon his body. The two thieves demonstrate the internal debate we must reconcile within our own being – do we believe that Jesus is the Messiah and place our faith in him or do we turn away and reject Christ? We can do nothing of our own merits to secure redemption with God, it is only by the grace of God through faith in Christ that we are saved. So the question must be raised in the context of the two thieves, upon which side do you align – upon which cross?

We live in the age when there are many false doctrines being spread and leading many astray. This also lends itself to confusion which pushes even more people away from our Lord. This world would rather worship creation than to acknowledge and worship the Creator. We see a world that has given itself over to its own selfish indulgences and as Paul warned, people do not have a tolerance for the truth – they will gather among them those that will speak what they want to hear. Many hold to a form of godliness but deny the power and deity of Christ. Some don’t believe we need redemption at all, but make no mistake about it,

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3: 23

As we previously shared through the wise words of Solomon, God has placed eternity in our hearts. We are not finite beings and deep down we all know that to be true. There is more to life than the mundane distractions we seek from sunrise to sunset. For those that have come to that place of atonement, having called out to the Lord in faith, believing in the death and resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ, the heart is filled to overflowing with the peace and joy that surpasses all human understanding. But for those that ignored or have rejected this offer of forgiveness, this reality of eternal existence is a millstone around the neck constantly tormenting the mind and spirit resulting in an endless search for something to fill that spiritual void.

In this manner of being, whether we like it or not, we will choose to which side of Christ we will hang our eternal destiny. Have you made that decision?

To the one side, the thief mocks Jesus as his own personal torment rages to the surface – “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us” – but to the other side, this thief speaks up – “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” – and then he proclaims his faith in the purest moment of humbleness as he states, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

We have the opportunity, because God does not want that any should perish, but that all would come to Christ. But we must choose the path to which our eternal destiny will reside and simply putting it off or ignoring this reality is, in and of itself, a denial of Christ. Read this most sobering text spoken by Jesus,

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the path that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the path that leads to life, and few will find it.” Matthew 7: 13-14

And he said to all of them, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Luke 9: 23-24

Today we come to this place – the eternal crossroads by which all mankind must pass – and you have to choose the path upon which your destiny will proceed. Upon which cross will you forever nail your eternal soul? Do you mock Jesus or do you humbly bow and confess your sins while professing your faith in the Savior? At the center stands Jesus and there are two paths to go by – one leads to the narrow gate – “few will find it.” The other is the broad path that leads to destruction.

You can choose Jesus today – right here and now. Remember that one day God will call our past to account. We will stand before our Creator, and if you have accepted Christ into your heart, your account will show paid in full. Jesus has paid our debts of sin through his death and resurrection; you simply have to make that choice to follow him. If not, you will pay the wages of your sins – which is death – eternal separation from God.

If you have questions, please read this brief but concise explanation of salvation through Christ here – Pathway to Salvation

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John Stephen Frey – Director and Senior Editor, Life Beyond Horizons Ministry

Simply Christ

Not that long ago, although it would be many decades at the least, we maintained a societal decorum of sorts – basic manners and the social graces meant something – whereby people of various ideologies and backgrounds could stand together in friendship. Politics, sex, and religion were off the table – discussions ranged from the weather, to sports, and maybe history or other pursuits of interest.

That stands in stark contrast to our current situation – politics is front and center – to the point it’s used by many as a qualifier as to whether a person will be allowed a seat at the table. Most families have that one person that everyone tolerates at the holidays, through unspoken agreements, they look beyond the belligerence for one day and enjoy a nice meal together. That’s been replaced with the one side pitted against the other – you agree with our politics or else. I won’t even get into the issue of sex – it’s out there shamelessly on display for all to see.

So, what about religion? Let’s face it, politics and sex are now squarely dumped into our laps – but for most, discussion of religion remains off-limits, that is, unless you’re ridiculing it as fairytales or a hoax. Why is that?

Let me weigh in on this one – I say we put religion away. You can go back to 1969 when the rock opera Tommy was released by The Who – in one track the lyrics cry out in rebellion, “don’t want no religion” as they continue with the chorus “we’re not going to take it, never did and never will.” Well, Mr. Townsend, referring to the simplest form of religion – I agree with your declaration.

I don’t want religion – in fact I would assert, it has divided us, been perverted to fit specific narratives and agendas, and has moved so far away from the truth that one could easily conclude – religion has failed.

Religion by definition is a system of beliefs, practices, and attitudes that relate to the sacred or divine. What is sacred? Today’s standards would apply to many things beyond the church – social constructs now step to the forefront in many categories that include climate change, sexual ideologies, socialist zeitgeist – becoming and often times replacing the church in fulfilling the void within society’s collective souls.

When one considers that by certain measure there exists some 10,000 brands of religion across the world – there remains only one Christ – the only one that demonstrated a substitutional sacrificial Love, laying down his life on the cross to pay for all of mankind’s sins.

Religion takes on many shapes and forms and most will share certain commonalities that acknowledge our struggle with imperfections. The eastern religions look inward in the search for balance and harmony. Others seek wisdom and fulfillment through the mind and body. These paths point towards a goal of perfection – claiming that meditation and mind control will lead one to a place of higher awareness. Some even claim that the soul is recycled over and over again, either in this life, or in the spiritual realm of the great beyond – achieving various degrees of exalted standing earned through some type of self-promotional conquest.

One thing all of these religions exclude is Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. While many will include the name of Jesus, they deny His deity and power.

Sadly, religion and deception often walk hand-in-hand, in some twisted form of transactional affiliation. The self-help gurus of today range from eastern mystic to television evangelist, offering up schemes of profit, hidden behind a veil of promised returns. Many are turned off by what they see, as the religious leaders pad their own wallets while the downtrodden shell-out in hopes of brighter days ahead. They all lay claim to a shared orthodoxy – one that denies the power of Christ’s deity. They will tell you, while often proclaiming the name of Jesus, that it is within you – the power to rise above – or they’ll connect your level of faith to your pocketbook and claim that if you truly believe, then you will give money as a downpayment on your faith, which will be rewarded by a God that is well pleased.

Some religions place barriers between you and your Creator – as if you must go through a man, confess your transgressions, then pay some penance assigned to you in order to gain favor from above.

Still yet there are others that claim to have been given a more complete version of God’s word in the form of additions doled out in secret to one special man. Through this you can build a perverted Ponzi scheme of religion – one that allows those on earth to do good deeds for those that have passed on – once again adding this deviant form of a religious quid pro quo that denies the power of Christ in all things.

The Apostle Paul laid it out very clearly regarding the layering of additional requirements linked to redemption in the book of Galatians.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.” Galatians 2:20-21

Paul directly asserts the bedrock upon which all of Christianity must stand – the cross is the fundamental component upon which salvation rests. Augmentation of requirements to God’s saving grace, whereby a person or religion implies additional attributes necessary which goes beyond any portion of the death and resurrection in totality is to say that Christ’s sacrifice was not totally sufficient for salvation. Ponder that for a moment – and consider this poignant example from the book of Luke as Jesus and the thief are being crucified, and the thief expresses his faith in Christ.

“We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 41-43

Sometimes we struggle to grasp the totality of God’s love towards us and in so doing we find ourselves doubting that salvation could be this straightforward. So we must remind ourselves, God so loved the world that He gave Jesus as a sacrifice for all, and this grace is sufficient to pay for all sin and transgression. We can’t do anything more than what Christ did for us in laying down his life on that cross. To say that we must do this or do that, beyond simply believing and confessing our faith in Christ, is to call out our Savior and declare that His death and resurrection was not enough. Do not fall into this dangerous appropriation of deceit. Salvation only comes through Jesus and the resurrection and to add anything else, as Paul so rightly declares, is to say that Christ died for nothing.

Even within the Christian church you have to sort through all the denominations that have built upon various interpretations of the Bible. Well intended as denominational boundaries may be, the church must strive to take great care in not losing sight of the first order of business – reaching the lost for Christ. For every pulpit that gets it right, there are far too many others that have lost their way along the spurious path of self-righteous indignation.

Whether you are a believer or a seeker of truth, know this, there is only one true path to God and that is through Jesus Christ. For the believer it is vitally important to maintain a strong foundation of faith based upon the gospel message of Jesus. Avoid the traps of interpretation that can divert attention away from what matters while dimming the light of hope that should shine for the world to see. For the seeker of truth, don’t let the derangement of hateful diatribes or the soft sell of self-help folly distract you – the answer is with Jesus and He alone. The Bible promises this outcome – knock and the door will be opened, seek and you will find the truth.

In Matthew chapter 11, verse 28, Jesus said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Are you weary and tired of this world – does it feel like everything is piling up, weighing you down – do you feel like nobody cares? God cares.

Listen to these words and take notice, God loves you! You were loved by God before you were formed in the womb. God loves you so much that He sent Jesus to live among us, to experience what we face, the hardships, temptations, disappointments and worse – and Jesus, through total obedience to God, laid down his life for you.

We are all sinners – but God gave us the perfect path to redemption through Christ. God knows of our struggles – and even though you can’t make up for the wrongs – Jesus paid off your debts, all of them. Jesus substituted a life of perfection, having walked in our shoes but remaining without blemish, and through the greatest demonstration of love, he gave His life as an atonement for your sins. Your debts are paid in full – and all you have to do is believe in your heart and invite Christ into your life.

The message is simple, and it represents the Truth of the Gospel – the Good News – that all people may be saved – not a few, not based upon status or race, but a message of hope for everyone. Where do you stand with God? Are you tired and weary – come to Christ and lay down your burdens and receive the peace you’ve so desperately been seeking.

In conclusion, I say we put away religion and share Christ instead. Simply Christ.

If you are a believer – are you living a life for Christ, shining a light of hope in this world of darkness? Let us help you share your faith – reach out here Ministry Cards and request our free ministry cards, be sure to include a mailing address – then use them as a conversation starter, a way to open the door to the good news with someone God brings into your life.

If you are seeking answers, reach out here Prayer Requests, Questions, Comments with questions or prayer requests. Read this message if you want to know more about Jesus. “The Way, the Truth and the Life”

John Stephen Frey – Director and Senior Editor, Life Beyond Horizons Ministry