What Does Calvary Mean to You?

At our Good Friday service, our pastor posed the question, "What does Calvary mean to you?" We heard testimonies from brothers and sisters who said that Calvary meant selfless love, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Another sister said that Calvary meant hope to her.

To me, Calvary also means freedom. Because of Jesus dying on that old rugged cross, I can have freedom from sin. Jesus breached the great divide between God and man that was created by the sin of Adam. In the Old Testament, the believers had to sacrifice the blood of bulls, sheep, or goats in order for their sins to be forgiven. They had to make a physical sacrifice. Since Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, my sins are forgiven just by me asking for His forgiveness and believing in what He has done for me.

This freedom in Christ is not the freedom to go and commit all types of sin. Indeed, when Christ truly lives in you, the desire to commit sin on purpose is no longer there. Your desire is to please your Lord.

Some people do not understand the freedom that Christ has given us. They still try to make it into Heaven by their good works. They strive to do what is right within themselves. Everyday is another day of making a constant effort to please God. What we do within ourselves will never be good enough to reconcile us back to God. It's not what we do within ourselves, it's what Jesus has done for us!

I think the real freedom comes in accepting what Jesus did for us on Calvary. He chose us, knowing all the mistakes we would ever make! He knew that we couldn't live perfect lives, that's why He sent the Holy Spirit to come and live His life thru us! What a merciful and loving God we serve!

Some people cannot accept the simplicity of the cross. They think there has to be more or something else added so that we can have salvation. In John 3:16 Jesus Himself said, "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." When He was dying on the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished." The sin debt was paid in full for every person who comes to Christ. He became our sin and we gained His righteousness. What a beautiful trade!

Galatians 5:17 says, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Accept the freedom that Christ has given you. If you make a mistake, ask His forgiveness and move on. Walk in freedom, not in condemnation. Walk in faith, not in fear of failure. Walk in victory, knowing what Christ has done for you personally.

Enjoy your freedom, child of God!