The Cross Accomplishes True Conversion

The apostles did not preach the gospel to exalt themselves. The hope of saving lost people kept them from stopping their efforts because of danger or suffering.ULe 123.1

“Therefore we do not lose heart,” Paul wrote. “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” Though his physical strength was declining, yet he declared the gospel without flinching. This hero of the cross pushed forward in the conflict. “We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”ULe 123.2

The apostle appealed to his fellow believers in Corinth to consider again the matchless love of their Redeemer: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” You know the height from which He stooped, the depth of humiliation to which He descended. There was no rest for Him between the throne and the cross. Paul lingered over point after point, so that those who read his letter could comprehend how much the Savior had sacrificed for us.ULe 123.3

The apostle recounted Christ’s path to reach the depths of humiliation. Paul was convinced that if his readers could comprehend the amazing sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven, they would banish all selfishness from their lives. The Son of God had humbled Himself as a servant, becoming obedient unto death, “even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8), so that He could lift fallen humanity from its degraded condition.ULe 123.4

When we study the divine character in the light of the cross, we see mercy and forgiveness blended with fairness and justice. We see at the throne One who bears in His hands and feet and side the marks of the suffering He endured to reconcile us to God. We see a Father receiving us to Himself through the merits of His Son. In the light reflected from the cross, the cloud of vengeance that threatened misery and despair reveals the writing of God: Repentant, believing heart, live! I have paid a ransom.ULe 123.5

In contemplating Christ, we linger on the shore of a love that is beyond measuring. We tell of it, but language fails us. “In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10, NRSV).ULe 123.6

It was on earth that the love of God was revealed through Christ. It is on earth that His children are to reflect this love through blameless lives.ULe 123.7