Word → Work → Way of the Cross
Christianity is built on progressive revelation by the Spirit of Christ.
There are three stages of the Cross in every believer’s life:
Word of the Cross → Work of the Cross → Way of the Cross
Each stage reveals more of Christ and moves the believer from initial salvation to maturity and Christ being expressed through them.
1. Word of the Cross
Christ Revealed TO YOU (initial salvation)
- The Gospel (“word of the Cross”) is foolishness to those perishing, but power of God to those being saved (1 Cor 1:18-19).
- No human effort (tracts, arguments, clever plans) can produce belief — God must reveal Christ.
- Salvation begins when the Spirit reveals: (a) your sin and need, and (b) Jesus dying for you.
- Example: Peter’s revelation — “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
- Once revealed and believed → you are saved and have Christ as your life.
2. Work of the Cross (Finished Work)
Christ Revealed IN YOU (sanctification & rest)
- After initial salvation, the Spirit progressively reveals what Jesus finished on the Cross (“It is finished” – John 19:30).
- Key truths revealed:
- You are a new creation — old self crucified, everything new (2 Cor 5:17; Rom 6).
- You are 100% righteous, forgiven (past, present, future), redeemed.
- You are not under Law but under Grace; no mixture of self-effort.
- Christ Himself is your source — wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption (1 Cor 1:30).
- Paul’s resolve: “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2).
- Believers are not trying to become what they already are — they simply rest in and live from the Finished Work.
3. Way of the Cross
Christ Revealed THROUGH YOU (conformity to Christ’s image)
- The Cross is an instrument of death — now applied to self-life and flesh in daily experience.
- Trials, afflictions, persecution, being “struck down” are used by God not to punish, but to crucify self-dependence so Christ’s life can be manifested (2 Cor 4:8-12).
- “Always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
- Result: “Death works in us, but life in you.”
- Paul’s example (Gal 1:15-16): God reveals His Son in me so He can be preached through me.
- The Way of the Cross conforms you into Christ’s image and lets others see Christ living through you.
Progression & Application
Word (salvation) → Work (rest in finished reality) → Way (daily dying so Christ is expressed)
- All three are revelations from the Spirit, not human teaching or striving.
- Hunger and seeking are required — no one else can create the desire in you.
- Practical response in trials: Ask Christ, “What do You want me to see/know/do?” instead of viewing hardship as punishment.
- Goal: Christ revealed to you → in you → through you.
Key Verse Summary
“He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Cor 1:30)
The entire Christian life is simply more of Christ being revealed and lived.
Word → Work → Way of the Cross.
