His Work, My Benefit

A week has passed since we celebrated Easter; the suffering, death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Although, the holiday and our festivities have passed, may we never forget the work of Calvary. Our Savior suffered a gruesome death on a shameful cross, yet on the third day He fulfilled His promise of a glorious rising. It was His gruesome death and glorious rising that affords us numerous benefits. Here are a few of the benefits that I reflected on this Easter:

It secured my salvation. – Simply put, He died in my stead. I deserved death on the cross, but instead I have received the gift of eternal life. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” leaves no doubt about our secured salvation. There was nothing I could do to earn salvation or escape damnation, it was all His Work. His Work on Calvary secured my salvation. Ephesians 2, expounds upon the work of the cross:

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh a and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:1-10, New International Version

It gives me a new identity. – Not only did His death and rising secure my salvation, it gives me a new identity. Look back at Ephesians 2:10. We are now God’s handiwork, His masterpiece, His workmanship! No longer is my identity tied to sin, disobedience, and unrighteousness. I have a new identity! I’m now holy and the righteousness of God!

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21

It affords me another chance. – I’m grateful for my new identity. However, there are times, in my imperfections, I fail to properly align my actions with my new identity. There are other times, I fail to properly operate in my God assigned purpose. Yet, the Easter Story reminds me that Jesus affords me another chance. He afforded Peter another chance, and he does the same for us. It was Peter who confidently answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” when Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” It was the same Peter, who adamantly proclaimed to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” Yet, it was the same Peter, who did deny Jesus! However, that was not the end. After His Resurrection, in John 21, we see Jesus afford Peter another chance. He restored Peter to the fold and reminded Peter of his identity and purpose! Peter was no longer just a fisherman, he was a fisher of men!

Take a moment to reflect on Jesus’ gruesome death and glorious rising, knowing that it secures your salvation; it gives you a new identity; and never forget it affords you another chance. Today is your chance to walk in your new identity and to carry your cross! Jesus states, in Luke 14:27, “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”