What does the cross mean to you? To me, it means VICTORY!!!!! The cross gives us the victory over our enemies. Paul said, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14). Paul glories in the cross of Christ. Let us examine the importance of the cross, which gives US the victory over our enemies.
The cross gives victory over sin. The little word sin reveals mans' basic failure and problem. Sin has always been a problem for the whole human race (Romans 3:23). Sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17). Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Sin brings death (Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4). The cross of Christ reveals the tragedy of sin. Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6-10). God made His Son a sin offering (2 Corinthians 5:21). It wasn't the nails that held Christ to the cross, but our sins and His love for us! Through Christ's blood, men may now be redeemed from the rule of sin (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19); cleansed from the guilt of sin (Hebrews 9:14). As Christians "walk in the light" of God's word (Psalms 119:105), they are kept cleansed from sin (1 John 1:7; 2:2).
The cross gives victory over self. Sin is basically selfishness. The selfish nature of sin is seen in the personal desires of the prodigal son (Luke 15). One of the most difficult things is denying self. Because of the power of selfishness, Christians must "deny self" (Matthew 16:24), and give ourselves to the Lord. "Crucify self" (Galatians 2:20). One must be willing to surrender to the Lord to serve Him; give of them selves (2 Corinthians 8:5).
The cross gives victory over Satan. Satan is identified as the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1-2). He uses enticements to lead men into the fulfillment of lust (James 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 2:11). Christians, by the power of Christ's blood, can be delivered from the world (Galatians 1:4; 6:14). There is power in Christ's death to motivate men to flee sinful, worldly lusts and live for the Lord (John 12:32-33). Men can cease to be Satan's servants (Romans 6:17-18). Christ gives us the victory if we will follow Him!