The Cross and Righteousness by Faith

Having visited the churches in Pisidia, Paul and Silas, with Timothy, continued on into Phrygia and Galatia, where they proclaimed the good news of the gospel. The Galatians were strong in the worship of idols, but they rejoiced in the message that promised freedom from the slavery of sin. Paul and his fellow workers proclaimed the doctrine of righteousness by faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Seeing how helpless the human race was, Christ came to redeem men and women by living a life of obedience to God’s law and by paying the penalty for disobedience. In the light of the cross many began to understand the greatness of the Father’s love. “By the hearing of faith” they received the Spirit of God and became “the children of God by faith in Christ” (Galatians 3:2, 26, KJV).ULe 78.2

Paul lived the kind of life among the Galatians that he could later say, “I urge you to become like me” (Galatians 4:12). God enabled him to rise above his physical ailments and present Jesus as the sinner’s only hope. Those who heard him knew he had been with Jesus. He was able to tear down the fortresses of Satan. Hearts were broken by his presentation of God’s love revealed in the sacrifice of His only Son.ULe 78.3

All through his ministry among the Gentiles, the apostle kept presenting to them the cross of Calvary. The devoted messengers who carried the good news of salvation to a perishing world allowed no self-exaltation to mar their presentation of Christ and Him crucified. They did not covet authority or high position. Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever, was the theme of their teaching.ULe 78.4

If those who teach the Word of God today would lift the cross of Christ higher, their ministry would be far more successful. Christ’s death proves God’s love for us. It is our pledge of salvation. To remove the cross from the Christian would be like blotting out the sun from the sky. The cross brings us near to God, reconciling us to Him.ULe 78.5

The light of the Savior’s love shines from the cross, and when the sinner looks up to the One who died to save him, he may rejoice, for his sins are pardoned. Kneeling in faith at the cross, he has arrived at the highest place that anyone can reach.ULe 78.6

Is it any wonder that Paul exclaimed, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14, KJV)? It is our privilege also to glory in the cross. Then with the light that streams from Calvary shining in our faces, we may go out to reveal this light to those in darkness.ULe 78.7