The Cross & Salvation! Part One…

From Salvation to Service

The cross of Jesus Christ stands as the pivotal moment in human history—the place where God's justice and mercy intersected to provide salvation for all who believe. Yet, whilst the cross is foundational to our faith, we must understand that salvation is not our final destination, but rather our starting point for a life of service in God's kingdom.

The Foundation: Salvation Through the Cross

The Apostle Paul reminds us, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3, KJV). The cross represents God's ultimate sacrifice—His Son given freely for our redemption. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we receive the gift of eternal life: "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" (John 3:16, KJV).

This salvation cannot be earned through our own works. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV). We must acknowledge this truth wholeheartedly—salvation comes through God's grace alone, received through faith in Christ's finished work on the cross.

The Danger of Remaining at the Cross

However, there exists a tendency amongst believers to remain perpetually focused on their initial salvation experience, never moving beyond the elementary teachings of the faith. The writer of Hebrews addresses this directly: "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God" (Hebrews 6:1, KJV).

This passage doesn't diminish the importance of the cross or our salvation—rather, it urges us to build upon that foundation. We are not to remain spiritual infants, constantly rehearsing the basics whilst neglecting the work God has called us to accomplish. Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for this very issue: "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 3:1-2, KJV).

Called to Work & Purpose

When God saves us, He simultaneously calls us to a specific purpose within His body, the church. We are saved unto good works, not by good works. Paul makes this distinction clear: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10, KJV).

Each believer has been equipped with spiritual gifts for the edification of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom. "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, KJV).

We are not saved merely to enjoy our own spiritual comfort. Christ commissioned His followers with specific tasks: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20, KJV).

Living in the New Covenant

The Old Testament saints lived in anticipation of the Messiah's coming. Their sacrifices pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice that would be made on Calvary. But we live on this side of the cross, under a new covenant established by Christ's blood. Jesus declared, "This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you" (Luke 22:20, KJV).

Under this new covenant, we have direct access to God through Christ. "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh" (Hebrews 10:19-20, KJV). We are no longer waiting for salvation—it has been accomplished! Now we must walk in the reality of that salvation and fulfil our calling.

Equipped for Service

God has not left us unprepared for the work He's called us to do. Through His Word and His Spirit, we have everything necessary for godly living and effective service. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17, KJV).

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit empowers us for service: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8, KJV).

The Balance: Remember, Yet Press Forward

This is not to suggest we should forget the cross or cease celebrating our salvation. Paul himself declared, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14, KJV). We should regularly remember what Christ has done for us, taking communion as He commanded (1 Corinthians 11:24-25, KJV).

However, we must also heed Paul's example: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14, KJV).

The cross is our foundation, not our dwelling place. Salvation is our entrance into God's family, not the entirety of our Christian experience. We honour Christ's sacrifice not by endlessly contemplating it to the exclusion of obedience, but by actively fulfilling the calling He's placed upon our lives. As James reminds us, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22, KJV).

Let us therefore embrace both the finished work of the cross and the ongoing work of our calling, building upon the foundation of salvation to accomplish all that God has prepared for us to do in His service…

Key Takeaways:

• Salvation through the cross is our foundation, not our final destination – We are saved by grace through faith in Christ's finished work, but this is the beginning of our Christian journey, not the end.
• We must move beyond spiritual infancy – Hebrews 6:1 (KJV) calls us to leave the elementary teachings and press on to maturity, building upon the foundation of salvation rather than remaining perpetually focused on it.
• We are saved unto good works – Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) reminds us that God has prepared specific works for us to accomplish; we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for purposeful service.
• Every believer has been given spiritual gifts – The Holy Spirit has equipped each Christian with gifts for the edification of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 KJV).
• We live under the New Covenant – Unlike the Old Testament saints who anticipated the Messiah, we live on this side of the cross with direct access to God through Christ's blood.
• God has fully equipped us for service – Through His Word and the Holy Spirit, we have everything necessary for godly living and effective ministry (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV; Acts 1:8 KJV).
• Remember the cross, but press forward in calling – We honour Christ's sacrifice not by endless contemplation alone, but by actively fulfilling our God-given purpose as doers of the Word (James 1:22 KJV; Philippians 3:13-14 KJV).