Four Demonstrations of the Power of the Cross

The Power of the Cross: A Transformative Force

What compels individuals to forsake comforts, endure suffering, and live boldly for Christ? It is the power of the cross. This divine force drives believers to embrace sacrifice, perseverance, and unshakable faith, even in the face of unimaginable trials. Here are four powerful demonstrations of the cross’s transformative impact.

1. The Power of the Cross in Missionary Devotion and Self-Denial

The story of two Moravian missionaries illustrates this power. They voluntarily entered a leper colony in South Africa, knowing they would never leave. These men chose to live among the outcast lepers, driven by a fervent love for Christ and the souls of others. Their decision was not fueled by human strength but by the unrelenting call of the cross.

Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a 19th-century minister, described their sacrifice as a stirring example of “vehement, heart-consuming love to Jesus.” Such love stems from the cross’s power to release believers from worldly comforts and transform their desires.

2. Martyrdom’s Triumph

Charles Spurgeon recounted the tale of Thomas Hawks, a martyr who endured the flames with unyielding faith. As his body burned, Hawks raised his blazing hands and declared, “None but Christ!” What gave him the strength to face death with victory? It was the power of the cross, which gave him courage to transcend physical pain and proclaim his unshaken allegiance to Jesus.

The cross empowers believers to endure persecution, loosening their grip on life and giving them an eternal perspective.

3. Peace in Agony and Death

David Brainerd, a missionary, exemplified the cross’s sustaining power even on his deathbed. Despite excruciating pain, Brainerd experienced peace and readiness to meet eternity. His focus was not on his suffering but on honoring God. Such composure under extreme duress is evidence of the cross’s ability to provide hope and strength at life’s end.

In contrast, those who reject Christ often face death with terror, highlighting the stark difference the cross makes. It gives believers a peace that surpasses understanding, securing their hope beyond the grave.

4. Faithful Resolve in Persecution

Margaret Wilson and Margaret McLaughlin, two Covenanters executed for their faith in 1685, demonstrated the cross’s power in their final moments. Facing rising tides and mockery, they refused to renounce Christ. The younger Margaret sang Psalm 25 as she was engulfed by the waters. Their unyielding faith showcased the cross’s power to strengthen believers against fear and loss.

Living in the Power of the Cross

The cross calls us to more than comfort and security. It empowers believers to face suffering with joy, live sacrificially, and declare Christ boldly. It is a power that sets us free, ransoms us to God, and prepares us for an eternal Kingdom.

The question remains: Are you living in the power of the cross? This divine force not only changes lives but also transforms death into a triumph of grace. For those who have experienced it, the cross is truly the power of God.