The Daily Cross: Embracing the Fullness of Christ’s Redemptive Work
The Christian life is not only about being saved from sin but about living in the fullness of Christ’s victory daily. The concept of the "daily cross" is central to this abundant life, as it represents the ongoing process of appropriating the transformative power of Christ's redemptive work in every aspect of our being. This truth was explored deeply in Grace Fellowship International's Spirituotherapy Workshop, which I had the privilege of attending in 2020. It significantly shaped my understanding of how the cross applies to the believer's soul—our mind, will, emotions—along with our affections, and equips us to live victoriously.
The Cross and the Soul
While our spirit is already saved (Ephesians 2:8-9) and our body will be redeemed at the resurrection (Romans 8:22-24), the soul—the seat of our thoughts, decisions, and feelings—is where we experience the day-to-day transformation into Christlikeness. James 1:21 encourages us to “receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls.” This "saving" is the ongoing process of sanctification, made possible through the application of the cross.
At its core, the cross declares, “Not me, but God.” This foundational truth shapes the transformation of our soul by reorienting our mind, will, emotions, and affections toward God’s perspective, power, and values.
1. The Mind: God’s Perspective Over Ours
The cross calls us to relinquish our limited, self-centered thinking and embrace God’s eternal perspective. Romans 12:2 exhorts us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Through the cross, our thoughts are aligned with the truth of who we are in Christ:
Union with Christ: We are united with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension (Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6, Colossians 3:1-3).
Identity in Christ: We are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), accepted by God (Ephesians 1:6), and indwelt by the hope of glory—Christ in us (Colossians 1:27).
By meditating on these truths, we learn to replace our faulty, human perspective with God’s perfect wisdom.
2. The Will: Surrendering to God’s Will
The cross invites us to echo Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane: “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Matthew 26:39). This involves a complete surrender of our rights and independence:
Surrendering Control: As we yield control to God, we find rest in His leadership (Matthew 11:29).
Delighting in God’s Will: Trusting that God’s will is “good, acceptable, and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2) leads to joyful obedience.
Through the cross, we learn to value God’s plans above our own, trusting His wisdom over our limited understanding.
3. The Emotions: God’s Resources Over Ours
The cross transforms our emotions by redirecting our source of strength and security from our resources to Christ’s. Instead of relying on coping mechanisms or seeking validation from others, we find all we need in Him:
Christ’s Sufficiency: “My adequacy comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5); “God will meet all your needs”(Philippians 4:19).
Unshakable Love: God’s love compensates for human rejection and unmet expectations (Psalm 73:25).
Renewed Strength: “Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).
By relying on Christ as our functional source of life itself, our emotions become rooted in His unchanging character rather than our fluctuating circumstances.
4. The Affections: God’s Values Over Ours
The cross reorients our affections, shifting our focus from temporary, earthly pursuits to eternal, heavenly treasures:
Losing to Gain: Jesus teaches, “Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).
Eternal Perspective: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-3); “Fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Treasures in Heaven: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-21).
This eternal perspective not only shapes our values but also anchors our hearts in God’s purposes, allowing us to live for His glory rather than our own gain.
Living Out the Daily Cross
The daily cross is not a burden to carry but a doorway to freedom. By appropriating the redemptive work of Christ in our mind, will, emotions, and affections, we experience the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
This process involves:
Knowing: Understanding the truths of who we are in Christ and the work He accomplished on the cross.
Reckoning: Accepting these truths as reality, even when our feelings or circumstances suggest otherwise (Romans 6:11).
Yielding: Surrendering every part of our soul to God’s control, allowing Him to live His life through us.
Walking by Faith: Acting in alignment with these truths, trusting God to work in and through us.
Encouragement for the Journey
As you embrace the daily cross, remember that this is a journey of grace, not self-effort. God is not asking you to fix yourself but to trust Him as your life. As Philippians 1:6 assures us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Brokenness and surrender may feel uncomfortable, but they are the pathway to true freedom and joy. In the words of Jesus, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
Let the cross be your anchor, and let Christ’s life flow through you. As you surrender to Him, you will find the abundant life that only He can provide.