There is nothing like that cross, which stands alone apart from all before and after.
There sin in man rose up to slay the Son of God, yet it was, in slaying Him, itself slain as well as judged, that grace might reign through righteousness unto eternal life for every believer. [10]
The Rudiments of the World. To be dead with Christ takes a person not only out of the world in spirit, but out of the whole system of its religion. We are not true to our standing, as well as to Christ, if we are as men alive in the world. We have a new life, which is the life of Him who is dead and risen, and this has now brought us into the condition of death to all that is of the world.
The great mass of Christians will not hear of such a breach with the world, and thus comes one severe trial of those who see it thus a foundation truth of Christ. Have they in grace made up their minds for His sake to be counted fanatical, foolish, proud, hard, narrow, committing these and all other calumnies to Him who loves them and knows the end from the beginning?
The taking up the rudiments of the world is then a flat, practical contradiction to our death with Christ. [14]