{"id":266086,"date":"2025-03-31T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/?post_type=resource&p=266086"},"modified":"2025-03-11T10:43:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T16:43:04","slug":"the-power-of-the-cross","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/resource\/the-power-of-the-cross\/","title":{"rendered":"The Power of the Cross"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When have you noticed the power of the cross \u2014 Jesus\u2019 crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension \u2014 shifting your perspective and impacting your spiritual journey most?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, we may believe that growing as a Christian means sinning less. While that is a noble goal, it also can cause despair when we fail or pride when we succeed. Instead, the Bible tells us that growing as a Christian means growing in our knowledge of the holiness of God, our knowledge of the seriousness of our sin, and our understanding of the power of the cross that bridges the gap between God\u2019s holiness and our sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we begin to see the enormity of His forgiveness, we learn to boast in the cross and grow in holiness out of thankfulness. Notice how this resource shows your perspective of the cross changing as you deepen your understanding of God\u2019s holiness and the extent of your sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Power of the Cross: Before Conversion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we begin a relationship with God, we have a very limited understanding of the holiness of God or of the depth of our sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God\u201d 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power of the Cross: At Conversion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we begin a relationship with God, we are thankful Jesus \u201cdied for our sins,\u201d but we may not really appreciate the enormous price He paid to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord\u2019s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge\u2014that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God\u201d Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power of the Cross: Boasting in the Cross<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we grow to know God more, we begin to understand the greatness of God\u2019s holiness and the depth of our sin. The enormity of His forgiveness grips us and we learn to boast in the cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMay I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world\u201d Galatians 6:14 (NIV)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Download a print friendly PDF of The Power of the Cross <\/em>to pass along. Navigators Discipleship Tools are designed for sharing with your Bible study, church groups, and those you are discipling.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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