“⁷ He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. ⁸ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7-8

The Cross of Christ is the dividing line of the fearful and unbelieving and the overcomers.  It is interesting to note that the fearful and unbelieving are ranked with the murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters and liars.

The Cross of Christ is the offence of which requires the forsaking of our idols, fears and superstitions.  Understanding the Atonement does not allow for unbelief.  We either believe the work of Jesus paid the penalty of sin for the sinner and broke the power of sin for the Believer or we don’t.  For the professing Believer to render Christ’s Work insufficient and turn to religious church ordinances and traditions for their Salvation (water baptism, baptism in the Holy Spirit, sacraments of penance, etc.) throws them in the lot with the abominable, murderers and whoremongers.

“⁸ For by Grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

If the Gospel believed doesn’t procure a change in the heart of the Believer, it is not the True Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and works of the flesh are manifested.

“¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

Many are offended when their grace revolutions are interrupted by the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  The Cross of Christ is an offence but for the overcomers, those who choose to believe the atoning work of Jesus Christ is sufficient to the uttermost, the Cross of Christ is the power of God.

“But seek you first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

Examine the fruit and consider the offense.

“²² But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

²³ For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ²⁴ For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was.

²⁵ But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25

Understanding the atoning work of Jesus Christ and accepting Him as our Lord and Saviour results in an inward change and produces fruit unto God.

Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren