Knowing the Christ OF the Cross -- and a Close-Up Look at Faith with Dr. Tom Fay (EP 35)
The Christ OF the Cross
When I tell friends I want to help people know the Christ of the cross, they picture Jesus hanging there on the cross. Indeed, the cross is central to coming to know Jesus, but it is not the whole story of who he is. Jesus is eternal. I want to know him in all his everlasting existence.
What do I mean by that?
John says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John1:3-5 NIV)
Jesus is the Word and was there in the beginning. John clarifies it in verse 14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Look at all the rich words that describe Christ.
- The Word
- All things were made through him (Ultimate Creator!)
- Life
- Light
- Dwelled among us
- Glory
- Grace
- Truth
We could spend years diving into the depths of these qualities of Jesus. Imagine getting to know his glory. His truth. His grace. There’s no finish line to knowing Christ. We go deeper, discovering afresh the amazing Jesus that we have come to know.
Jesus hung on the cross. We should never lose sight of that. Thanks to his sacrifice, we have the privilege of knowing him and his Father. Without the cross, there would be no relationship at all. With the cross, we have a starting point in our relationship, which will extend into all eternity.
Oh, I want to know Jesus and all his fulness – from the beginning of creation, through Revelation and all the way into eternity. Remember Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10? “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings.”
He wanted to know all of Jesus. And at the time, he didn’t know the fulness of Jesus described in John’s Revelation. God had amazing things in store for Paul once he met is Savior face to face.
To know Christ in his eternity is to know him fully. From the eternal beginning to the eternal end of time. And every minute in between.
One of the series of 15 video devotionals inside FF24/7 that focus on the identities and character qualities of Jesus. If you want to know the Christ OF the cross, I recommend you start your free trial and check them out. www.Freshfaith247.com
Featured Guest:
My guest on this episode is the epitome of faith lived out. As I talked with Tom Fay, I was so impressed that in his decades of service for the Lord, he has been able to keep Performance Christianity outside the door of his life. As you hear his story, you’ll understand why. He walks by faith. Even in seasons when God seems silent. Tom is a former pastor, as well as an entrepreneur. and an author. I just finished his latest book which is really good. We talk about it in the interview, so I won’t say anymore here.
Resources:
Take the Spiritual Self-Assessment
Free Trial to FRESH FAITH 24/7
Tom's Book: Let the Children Come: The Life of George Muller
11 Big Promises:
Here are 11 big promises you’ll experience as we peel away performance and replace it with relationship. Here’s how freedom in your relationship with Christ plays out in real life:
- Freedom leads to fruit (Gal 5:22-23)
- We obey God with joy.
- Pressure to perform is removed.
- We don’t feel self-imposed guilt, because we aren’t earning God’s approval.
- Jesus walks with us, not looking over our shoulder.
- We have confidence we are walking with Christ.
- We have victory over sin, because we aren’t fighting in our own power.
- God is our friend.
- We understand and experience God’s love more.
- We glorify God. What a thrill!!! (Hebrews 13:20-21)
- We please God. That’s freeing and fun. (Heb 13:20-21; Phil 2:13)
