The promise of the cross is that of reconciliation to God. Think of the vertical beam of the cross reaching up to heaven and the horizontal beam reaching out to humanity—and at the intersection of the two, there hangs the “one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim.2:5). Paul has penned these words in Romans 5:7-11:
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Bible teacher, Warren Wiersbe, has written: “In Romans 1:18–32, Paul explained how men declared war on God and, because of this, deserved to be condemned eternally. But God did not declare war on man. Instead, He sent His Son as the Peacemaker (Eph. 2:11–18) that men might be reconciled to God.” God is reconciled to you, and now appeals for you to be reconciled to Him.
Ulysses S. Grant, former President of the United States and famed Civil War general, surrounded Fort Donelson and when it was apparent the Confederate troops could not “hold the fort” the request was made to Grant, “What are your terms of surrender?” His response was, “No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted.” Thereafter, U.S. Grant became known as, “Unconditional Surrender” Grant.
We have an “Unconditional Surrender” God! If you want peace, you must lay down your arms—stop your war against the will of God—and accept his demand for unconditional surrender. There can be no terms—no negotiation—no compromise—and there can be no peace until you do.
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