JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the purpose behind the cross.

Jesus died for us. He gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins. What does that accomplish? What was the purpose of Jesus dying on the cross for us? The Bible shows us various ways that we are blessed by what Jesus accomplished at the cross.

Second Corinthians 5:15 says, “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them, and was raised again.” The death of Jesus gave us purpose to live for His glory.

First Thessalonians 5:10 says that Jesus “died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” The death of Jesus provided a way for us to live in God’s presence.

First John 4:9 says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” The death of Jesus gave us power to live through His love to touch people with His grace.

The purposes behind the cross to bless us are reasons to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com