Life Before And After The Cross - Dr Abel Damina

The cross of Jesus changed everything as it relates to the manner of life that existed before the death of Jesus. This is the crux of the matter in Christianity that many fail to realize. The difference between Old and New Testament is the cross. “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matthew 26:28 KJV

The cross is Satan's greatest nightmare but, mercifully, the believer's advantage. The message of grace is the message that reveals what the cross (the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus) had accomplished for us. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15 KJV)

Satan literally lost everything by reason of the cross, and his hope today is only kindled by the ignorance of believers and mere men. If the message of the cross and its power is hidden, man becomes a victim over again. “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV.

Understanding the difference between life before the cross and after the cross is a fundamental way to reign in life. Otherwise you will live a life that is neither here nor there. Not sure if you have victory or have to fight for victory.

Man has been given Jesus' level of authority after the cross that was not there before the cross. Before the cross, man's righteousness before God was considered as filthy rags before God. But after the cross, the man who accepts Christ receives the gift of righteousness without works. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,” Romans 4:5-6 KJV.

The basis of relationship with God has changed, previously it was based on man's efforts. After the cross, it is based on what Jesus has done. Everything is now based on grace, not our righteousness or performance.

THE CROSS JUDGED ALL SINS ON JESUS ON YOUR BEHALF

“In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.” Isaiah 54:8-9 KJV.

The death of Jesus shields us from God's wrath and judgment. God is no more angry with you and He will not be angry with you, as He exhausted all His anger on Jesus. Jesus took all the punishment for all your atrocities. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2Corinthians 5:21 KJV. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24 KJV.

The cross was an overpayment for sin. “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:12-14 KJV.
It's called 'the unsearchable riches of Christ'.

The cross took care of sin, past, present and future. From the cross, the price for sin travelled back to Adam and forward to eternity end. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;” 1 Peter 3:18-19 KJV. “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2 KJV.

Sin does not stand anywhere between the believer and God, only Jesus stands between man and God. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5 KJV.

FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES BEFORE THE CROSS AND AFTER

• Before the cross, they prayed for the Holy Spirit to come, and begged that God should not take the Holy Spirit from them. After the cross, the Holy Spirit dwells in the believer forever. No need for believers in Christ to be waiting for the Holy Spirit to come again, he has already come and He will abide with the believer forever.

• Many are trying to amplify the presence of God today by utilizing prayer shawls and shofars, when Jesus changed and moved us from worshipping or seeing him through places and objects 2000 years ago. (You do not need anyone to take your prayer request to Jerusalem. There is nothing special about Jerusalem anymore for the believer. Jesus is everywhere). “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship... But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:20-24 KJV. “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:3 KJV

• People are trying to create Jesus of the Jews (Judaism). After the cross, He is Jesus of the Jew and Gentile. The Jew and Gentiles are now collapsed in one new man. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 KJV. “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;” Ephesians 2:15 KJV

• Christians are still fighting the devil and the flesh, as though Jesus did not do a complete work 2000 years ago. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:14-15 KJV.
After the cross, believers only wrestle in maintaining, by our profession, what Jesus had obtained for us.

• People are asked to pay a price for sin, Jesus paid for all sin 2000 years ago on your behalf, and all the believer is required to do after the cross is to receive forgiveness as a gift. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:7 KJV. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 KJV.