A dear sister told me how great she felt about having a luxury apartment in an upscale locality. She said it was because of some wise investments she had made earlier on in her life. And I know that not many people in her friend circle could afford what she had. So, indeed she was blessed! As I was meditating on it, my mind thought about all those Christians who did not have that luxury. Should they be feeling not-so-blessed? I took this in prayer to the Holy Spirit. The answer I received is “NO”

The truth is that we should never let our possessions or circumstances dictate our faith and confessions. Consider the early Church. Not many were affluent, not many wealthy, not many of high status. A few handful fishermen whom we recognise as the disciples of Lord Jesus went around preaching the gospel and saving souls. And they taught us one very important principle of faith in Jesus Christ- boasting in the Lord Jesus and the all-powerful work He did on the Cross of Calvary. What

“For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1Corinthians 1:18 

So, what I am communicating through this blog is that it’s not our efforts but rather it is the power of cross where our boast and victory lies. We may fast many days, prayer long hours, give tithes and offerings and do other acts of righteousness- but none of these is where our boasting lies. These acts of righteousness we do is a part of our Christian life and we do them not of our own will, but rather it is the Holy Spirit in us which propels us to do them. Refer Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Our boasting should always rest in the CROSS OF CALVARY. It is at the CROSS where the great divine exchange took place and we received our pardon and grace for all blessings, which we never deserved.

It could be that we are facing a situation that seems like a never ending affliction. A work place issue, a sickness, unemployment, family issue, barrenness, harassment for being a Christian and so on. We may have prayed, fasted many days but somewhere the issues have still not resolved. So, when we are in the middle of all this and we look around at others who may be having it easy, we feel unworthy and condemned. But during these challenging times, we should focus on the CROSS of JESUS CHRIST. Our confession should be one like “The CROSS of JESUS CHRIST is my victory!” And indeed, this is our boasting till we reach eternity. Refer Galatians 6:14- May 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.

The battle ground is our mind. We are not unaware of the devil’s schemes. He has power in the physical realm- to afflict us and to torment us. Satan does not easily back off. Satan wants to see the evidence of our faith- which is belief in Jesus Christ in our heart and secondly the confessions of our mouth. But in the spirit world, he has lost the battle to Jesus Christ at the cross. Cross of Jesus is a sign of disgrace and defeat for satan. Refer Colossians 2:15: “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them through the power of cross.” It is at the cross that Lord Jesus disarmed satan. And that victory of Lord Jesus is yours and mine victory. We should instead daily remind satan of his pathetic defeat at the Cross and thus make him feel lowly and inferior which he is.

“I boast in the Cross of Jesus Christ which is where my every victory over satan lies”. Hallelujah! Make this confession a part of your daily praise and worship in this new month of November and see the power of cross unfold in your life.

Jerusalem is beautiful; 
Israel a promise; 
Zion is holy 
and the Cross of Lord Jesus- my victory!