By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

As a writer, my companion is guilt. The cares of the world cause angst and keep me away from my desk. This “friend” needs to vacate the premises. I need to refocus on why I write, who called me, and who I belong to. So, I remember the cross. The cross is where eternal destinations are decided, spiritual paths are changed, and guilt is erased.

Even if the complexity of the cross boggles my mind, I find restoration and peace there.  Yes, I know Jesus rose from the dead to finish the work, but without the cross, my sin and guilt would remain.  I know it’s not Resurrection time, however, I still desire to know the deep truths of the cross and meditate on them daily. However, my finite brain cannot wrap itself around the infinite.  I am not a theologian.  I go to Scripture to better understand what Jesus accomplished at Calvary.  Will you join me?

I love acrostics; they give this aging brain tools to grasp the truth of the Word.   Let’s take an “A cross tic” look at Calvary.

C– Cancelled the written code.

R– Redeemed

O– Obedience of Jesus

S– Sufficient Sacrifice

S– Separated no more

The acrostic skims the surface; much more happened on that hill.  May the Spirit reveal even more about our Savior as we read the following Scriptures.  Wherever we are in our walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will use the Word to reveal the message of the CROSS.   (All Scripture is English Standard Version ESV)

C– Cancelled the written code (law)-  But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code Romans 7:6

The written code is the Old Testament law.  Obedience to the law never made anyone right with God. Only Jesus’ death on the cross reconciles us with God.  We are no longer judged by the law if we are God’ child.   What joy to know that the chains of legalism are gone. The Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us the freedom and ability to please God.

R-Redeemed- He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

Redeemed means to set free by a legal ransom. The price for our release was paid for by the blood of Jesus. We no longer are under the dominion of Satan.  We belong to Jesus.  Thank you Jesus for paying the price.

O -Obedience of Jesus-  And being found in human form, he (Jesus) humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8

Jesus proved His love for the Father and for us by His obedience at the cross.  He is a great example for us. May we find strength to be like Jesus and obey our Heavenly Father.

S– Sufficient Sacrifice-The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. … Then he (Christ) said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:1-10

The Old Testament sacrifices never made anyone right with God.  The Law and the sacrifices were to show us that we are sinners in need of a Savior and that a sacrifice was needed to restore our relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Praise be to Jesus for taking our punishment.

S– Separated no more-  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ Ephesians 2:13

We can now have a relationship with our loving Creator and release from guilt. Thank you Jesus.

My prayer is all find joy and a better understanding of the cross when we meditate on these Scriptures.  May we all be draw closer to our Abba as we focus on the freedom we have because of Calvary.  May our guilt dissolve at the foot of the cross.

How has guilt interrupted your writing time? Join the conversation.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is a coach, editor, and partner at The Write Coach Team.

As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.

Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers ACFW.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah nominated, Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.

Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 21 years.

Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats.