8/18/25 Daily Devotional: Stuck At The Cross

Romans 5:1-11 NASB - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Sometimes we can get stuck at the cross.

• Please, please, please DO NOT take this, in any way, as lessening the POWER & LOVE of Jesus’ Sacrifice on the cross.

• Jesus’ Sacrifice was NEEDED to pay the deep, dark debt of sin that you, I, and all of humanity established.

• The LOVE of Jesus to step out of Heaven, become fully human, experience the pain & betrayal & separation & DEATH that was rightfully ours is immeasurable and beyond our full understanding!

But Jesus did not stop at the cross … and neither should we!

• Jesus paid our sin debt SO THAT we could accept His Free Gift of LIFE.

• Jesus did not only come to die for the forgiveness of our sins … Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins SO THAT we could KNOW GOD & LIVE out His Will forever WITH HIM.

• Jesus died on the cross SO THAT He could conquer death and Victoriously LIVE in dominion over all.

• In His own words … Jesus came SO THAT you & I would have LIFE … and have it ABUNDANTLY! … His Resurrection gives us access to that LIFE!

What are some signs that we might be stuck at the cross?

NOT SINNING IS OUR GOAL

• At face value, this doesn’t sound so bad! … but that is the tricky part … it is all about priority!

• When not sinning becomes our goal OVER FOLLOWING JESUS’ CALL ON OUR LIFE .. we become known as a religion made up of Thou Shalt Not’s.

• We focus on avoiding sin at all costs, presenting a pure front void of dirty sin, and judging/avoiding all of those sinful people around us.

• Sin brings guilt & shame … as Christians we are not meant to wallow in our guilt or avoid our shame but LEAVE IT AT THE CROSS! Jesus handled it … IT. IS. FINISHED.

• When we FOLLOW JESUS in the ABUNDANT LIFE He has prepared for us … guess what? … we will sin less! We don’t need to prioritize not sinning … we need to prioritize FOLLOWING HIM.

GETTING INTO HEAVEN IS OUR END GAME

• Heaven is going to completely blow our minds … but getting into Heaven when you die is not WHY Jesus came!

• Jesus’ Sacrifice on the cross for our sins was never meant to be simply acknowledged & “believed” as a Get Into Heaven Free token.

• If all you ever do is believe that Jesus historically died on the cross for your sins … but are not following Him as LORD of your life … you do not have a Lord & Savior, you have acknowledgement of historical fact … just like the demons.

• Simply saying a prayer once because Heaven sounds better to you than Hell does not save you … repenting & FOLLOWING HIM as Lord of your LIFE does!

• Jesus didn’t come so that you could just go to Heaven when you die … He came so that you could KNOW, LOVE, OBEY & EXPERIENCE Him with your life!

I’m not telling you to forget the cross … I’m urging you to remember WHY Jesus died on that cross and LIVE the life He’s called you to!

His Death makes us right. His Life helps us LIVE. Go Live.