Throughout the pages of Scripture, the Cross stands as the central element in God's divine plan for overcoming sin. God’s prescribed order for victory is The Cross, and The Holy Spirit operates solely within this framework. Understanding this relationship is crucial for grasping how sin is dealt with and how The Holy Spirit works within the salvation process.
Sin Dealt with on The Cross
The Cross is where sin was decisively dealt with. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice was the ultimate solution to the problem of sin. As stated in 1 Peter 2:24: "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." This Scripture emphasizes that sin was conquered on the Cross, fulfilling God’s plan for redemption.
Salvation through The Cross
Salvation is inseparable from The Cross. Jesus Himself said in John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." The Cross is the way through which salvation is provided. It is through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on The Cross that one is saved.
John 3:16 further says this: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This verse highlights the profound love of God and the provision of the Cross for our salvation.
Romans 10:13 says: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." This underscores the accessibility of salvation through the Cross for all who believe.
The Holy Spirit’s Role in Salvation
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the process of salvation, but always in accordance with The Cross. The Spirit convicts individuals of their need for salvation, guiding them to the Cross. John 16:8 tells us this: "And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." The Holy Spirit’s conviction leads to an understanding that sin has been dealt with through the Cross.
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit regenerates and transforms the believer, applying the benefits of The Cross to their life. In Titus 3:5, it is written: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of The Holy Ghost." This regeneration is a direct result of the Cross and The Holy Spirit’s work in applying that victory to the believer.
Born of The Spirit
Jesus explained to Nicodemus the necessity of being born again, emphasizing the distinction between flesh and spirit. In John 3:6-7, Jesus said: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." Sin entered into the world through sinful flesh the first Adam, but through the second Adam, Jesus Christ, we can have redemption, being born again by The Holy Spirit and producing fruits of repentance.
The Holy Spirit Works within the Framework of The Cross
The Holy Spirit does not operate outside of The Cross. His work is to direct us to the finished work of Jesus and to apply its effects to our lives. Romans 8:11 states: "But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you." This verse highlights that The Holy Spirit’s work is intimately connected to the resurrection power of The Cross.
The Holy Spirit operates within the framework of the Cross, emphasizing that victory over sin is achieved through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. By understanding that The Holy Spirit’s work is always aligned with The Cross, we can better appreciate the divine plan for salvation and transformation. The Cross and The Holy Spirit together provide the foundation for a life that produces fruits of repentance and walks in the newness of life in Christ Jesus.
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