Scripture — Galatians 6:14 (KJV)
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
The cross is not merely where Jesus died. It reveals the seriousness of our sin and our need to put our old self—the sinful way of life that once governed us—to death through repentance, surrender, and obedience to Christ. Through His death and resurrection, a completely new way of living becomes possible.
It is easy to look at the cross as something Jesus did for us without considering what the cross means for us.
Paul did not speak of the cross merely as an event that happened. He spoke of it as something that had changed his relationship with the world. He said, “the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
That is much deeper than simply saying, “Jesus loves me.” Jesus certainly does love us. But His love calls us to something more than receiving the gift of salvation. It calls us to surrender.
The cross changes what we live for.
Before we come to Christ in repentance, receive His free gift of salvation, and surrender to Him as Lord—the Master and rightful authority over our lives—the things of this world can easily become the measure of our success, identity, security, and happiness. We can become consumed with what people think of us, what we possess, what we accomplish, and what we want.
But when we truly understand the cross, we begin to see those things differently.
The cross reminds us that our greatest problem was never that we needed a better life according to the world’s standards. Our greatest problem was sin—and our need for reconciliation with God.
Jesus did not go to the cross to make our old life more comfortable. He went to the cross to redeem us from sin
That Changes everything.
The Cross Changes Our Identity
The cross tells us that our identity is no longer found in the approval of people, our accomplishments, our possessions, our failures, or even our past.
Our identity is found in Christ.
Paul’s words are striking: “the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
He had been changed so profoundly that the things which once competed for his heart no longer held the same attraction for him nor the same authority over him.
This does not mean that Christians stop living in the world. It means that the world no longer determines what we live for.
The question is not simply, “Do I believe Jesus died for me?”
The deeper question is:
“Has the cross changed the way I live?”
A Different Kind of Life
The cross also changes our understanding of obedience.
Obedience is not a way of earning God’s love or purchasing salvation. God’s love was demonstrated at the cross. But if we truly understand that love, obedience should no longer seem like an unreasonable demand.
Jesus said:
“If ye love me keep my commandments.”
John 14:15 (KJV)
The cross does not give us permission to continue living as though nothing happened. It calls us to follow Christ.
There will be times when following Jesus requires us to deny ourselves, surrender our preferences, forgive when we would rather hold on to an offense, speak truth when silence would be easier, turn away from sin, or choose faithfulness when no one else sees.
That is where the cross becomes personal.
The cross is not simply something we look at.
It is something that changes the person looking at it.
Personal Examination
Take a moment and answer honestly—not according to what you think the “right” Christian answer should be.
1. What is one thing in my life that I am tempted to value more than obedience to Christ?
2. If I allowed the cross to determine my priorities, one area of my life that would need to change is:
3. I know God is calling me to surrender:
Going Deeper
Consider the difference between these two statements:
A. “Jesus died so I could have the life I want.”
B. “Jesus died so I could belong to Him and live according to His will.”
1. Which statement more closely reflects the way you currently approach your relationship with Christ and why?
The cross does not promise that following Jesus will always be easy.
It promises something far greater: we no longer have to belong to the world.
Our old identity, our old priorities, and our old allegiances no longer have to define or govern us.
The cross changes everything because Jesus gave everything.
And if we truly belong to Him, our response cannot stop at gratitude.
It must become surrender.
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and for the mercy You have shown through the cross.
Forgive me for the times I have treated the cross as something to admire rather than something that should change me.
Search my heart and reveal the things I have allowed to become more important than obedience to You. Show me where I am still living according to the values of the world rather than according to Your Word.
Teach me to see my identity, my priorities, my possessions, my relationships, and my future through the cross.
Give me the courage to surrender what You ask me to surrender and the faith to obey when obedience is difficult.
May I never forget that Jesus did not merely die to make my old life better. He died to redeem me and make me His.
Help me live today as one who truly belongs to Christ.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.