Because of the cross.

 Here is a poem of gratitude and a collection of scriptures celebrating the transformative power of the cross of Christ.

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Because of the Cross

Because of the cross, my shame is gone,

The weight of sin no longer holds.

A new beginning, a brand new dawn,

My broken heart, His love enfolds.

Because of the cross, I am forgiven,

The debt I owed could not be paid.

But Jesus gave His life from heaven,

And every chain is now unlaid.

Because of the cross, death has no sting,

The grave has lost its victory.

For Christ, my Savior, Lord, and King,

Has risen and set this captive free.

Because of the cross, I have a voice,

To call upon the Father's name.

No longer fear, no other choice,

But to declare His glorious fame.

Because of the cross, I am made new,

The old has passed, the past is gone.

His mercy, faithful, strong, and true,

Has brought me to the breaking dawn.

Because of the cross, I stand in grace,

Not by my works, but by His blood.

A child of God, embraced, held safe,

Redeemed and covered by His love.

So let me boast in nothing less

Than Jesus Christ, His righteousness.

My life, my all, I count as loss—

For everything I have is because of the cross.

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Scripture for the Cross

The Central Message:

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Boast Only in the Cross:

"But far be it from me to boast [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14, AMP)

The Power of the Cross:

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18)

He Became a Curse for Us:

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.'" (Galatians 3:13)

He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions:

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

The Word of the Cross:

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)

Through the Cross, Reconciled:

"and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:20)

He Canceled the Debt:

"having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:14)

The Cross Is Our Glory:

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)

He Humbled Himself:

"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8)

We Are Crucified with Christ:

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

The Cross Is Our Peace:

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility." (Ephesians 2:13-16)

He Bore Our Sins:

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

The Lamb of God:

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'" (John 1:29)

It Is Finished:

"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." (John 19:30)

For the Joy Set Before Him:

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

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A Prayer of Thanks for the Cross

Lord Jesus,

I come before You in awe

of what You did on Calvary.

Because of the cross, I am forgiven.

Because of the cross, I am free.

Because of the cross, I am loved.

Because of the cross, I am Yours.

Thank You for enduring the shame,

the pain, the separation—

all for me.

Let me never take for granted

the gift You gave.

Let me live each day

in the light of the cross,

boasting in nothing

but what You have done.

In Your precious name,

Amen.