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Perhaps you've heard that phrase before, perhaps not.
I often wondered exactly WHAT preachers meant when they said it.

Here's what I "discovered".

The key to living Godly is found in the cross and nothing else.
If we say our prayers, study our Bible and do our best isn't that what we've been taught will bring us victory?
God says, those are good things, but the answer is in the cross and the works Jesus did there.
(Romans 6) (Gal 2:20) (Col 2:12-13) (1 Cor 1:23)
If we focus on self effort, we fail.
If we focus on good works, we fail.
It is only when we focus on the cross and what Jesus did for us there that we can live free and above sin's influence.
Many would say, but that's not enough, it can't be that simple.  I rebut with how simple is the plan of salvation?
Both are simple.  Faith in Christ saves you, faith in the works Jesus did on the cross will lead you to a Godly life.
Others would say that this teaches that Christians who think this way will never fail.
That is the goal, but we all fall and come short of God's glory.  ALL of us blow it from time to time.
If you place your trust in this I am not saying that you'll never fall for satan's trap again, but I am saying that
you will fall less and less often!

Here is a list of the works that Christ finished upon the cross that day outside Jerusalem.

Salvation- a triple blessing
Redemption- John 1:29, Heb 9:12, Col 1:14  Redeemed-bought back from bondage.
Sanctification- Heb 10:10, 13:12, 1 Pet 1:2                        Sanctified-set apart for God's use.
Justification- Rom 3:24, 5:9, Isa 53:11    Justified-Restored to a right standing with God. JUST as IF I'D never sinned.

Sin's RULING power broken- Rom 6:6
Notice this is sin's power to enslave us, NOT the power to TEMPT us to sin.
Paul goes on to say that we are to reckon and know that we have been baptized into the death and 
resurrection of Christ.   
Reckon (count,consider, come to the conclusion) yourselves to be free from sin's ruling power.
Know (have knowledge of, be aware of,understand) that once we accept Christ, in God's view when Christ died FOR sin, we died TO sin.
And when He arose to new life, so did we, a new life in Christ.
Then, we are to yield NOT to sin and instead yield TO God.

The Law FufilledCol 2:14
That which stood between God and man, that which the temple veil symbolized has been fulfilled and set aside
through the death of Christ.  When God established the New Covenant in Hebrews He set aside the former covenants he had made with man.  This covenant will last for eternity, it is established in Heaven and sealed with the precious
blood of our Lord and Savior.

Satan & demons defeated- Heb 2:14-15, Col 2:15
Our two greatest enemies-DEFEATED!
In John 10:10 Christ said the thief (satan & his minions) comes to steal, kill and destroy.
Whatever the avenue of attack, his goal is the same-to steal, kill and destroy.
Though he roams the earth like a roaring lion, he is a defeated foe!

ALL of these verses not only mention the work but also tell us that Christ brought them to us through His work on
the Cross.
I'm sure that some verses have been left out, and some blessings not mentioned, BUT God hasn't revealed those to me just yet.

AMEN DUKE!

The work of SALVATION as a GIFT to be offered by GOD through HIS Matchless Grace and Love was FINISHED Perfectly at the CROSS by JESUS CHRIST. HE was the ONLY PERFECT SACRIFICE for the sins of mankind, and ONLY HE could have done this work. Why? - HE was without sin, HOLY, without spot or blemish, and RIGHTEOUS IN PURE PERFECTION. JESUS CHRIST was and IS a stark contrast to all of mankind because NO MAN has any RIGHTEOUSNESS OF his own - and NO MAN is without sin or HOLY.

Brother, I think that one of the most important things that we must remember that we possess NOTHING that is worthy for our own Salvation, and we never will. Regardless of how hard we try, our ONLY RIGHTEOUSNESS will always be in CHRIST ALONE.

WITHOUT CHRIST, mankind is lost, evil, depraved, and under the curse of sin and death. WITH CHRIST, our ETERNAL LIFE is IN THE ETERNAL CHRIST. As Christians, we have LIFE because of the LIFE of CHRIST - not because of our own life. We should simply humble ourselves, give THANKS, and know that GOD has given us a GIFT that we could NEVER earn or deserve.

YES - JESUS CHRIST finished the work of SALVATION perfectly AT THE CROSS. CHRIST HIMSELF said "IT IS FINISHED! As Christians, CHRIST is our ALL IN ALL, and ALL to HIM we owe!

Love In Christ,
Tom

John 19:30 ASV  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.