This is our last week before Thanksgiving and we want to consider what we are thankful for theologically.  Our text is from Luke 23 as Jesus is being condemned to death on the cross.  We are thankful for His sacrifice, but today let’s think about what the term crucifixion salvation means to us.

We believe that the crucifixion is central to salvation, as it is seen as the moment Jesus Christ paid the penalty for human sin through his sacrificial death. This act is believed to have reconciled humanity with God, provided a path to eternal life, and broken the power of sin and death. Salvation is understood as a gift received through faith in Jesus, not by personal works or merit, and involves acknowledging one's sin, confessing it, and believing in his sacrifice.  We are thankful for this ultimate sacrifice from our incarnate God who loves us so much as to offer Himself for our transgressions. But how does this crucifixion salvation affect our lives?

In Galatians 2, Paul explains to the Galatian church that obeying the old Law will never make them right in God’s sight.  In fact, Paul tells them about his own experience in verse 20.  Here, he says, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Let’s put our crucifixion salvation in the terms Paul describes here.

First, we must understand our old self of sin needs to be crucified with Christ on the cross.  While this is symbolic, it should help us understand that God is purifying us from our old sins through the cross.  We join Jesus on the cross.  Next, we allow Jesus to enter our lives and let Him live in us.  How does this look?  Perhaps we allow God to change the way we think as humans through His power and Spirit as Paul describes in Romans 12:2.  The final element of our crucifixion salvation is putting our trust in the saving power of Jesus.  We cannot earn salvation, but we can trust that God will forgive us through the gift of crucifixion salvation.

Let’s do a thought experiment to close.  What would life on earth look like without crucifixion salvation?  How would people live without hope of eternal life?  While some may live this way now, what if the whole world lived without Jesus and His sacrifice?  I submit that humanity would be in a hopeless position that would be totally without the concept of love or compassion or empathy.  Dog eat dog mentality would rule.  It is a horrible proposition that we do not have to live out because of Jesus.  

We are thankful for the Church here in Breckenridge.  We are thankful for everyone of you who seeks to follow Jesus in your life.  Perhaps at this time of year we might really give thanks to Jesus and His eternal gift of crucifixion salvation.  Blessings.

Breckenridge, TX First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Facebook link is:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/261014108691880