+IV. Because of personal identification with its triumph over the world.+--"By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (ver. 14). As the world of feverish pleasure, of legal ordinances, was conquered by the cross, so the faith of the apostle in the crucified One gave him the victory over the world, so that it lost all power to charm or intimidate. The world of evil is doomed, and the power of the cross is working out its ultimate defeat. I have seen a curious photograph of what purports to be a portrait of the Saviour in the days of His flesh, and which by a subtle manipulation of the artist has a double representation. When you first look upon the picture you see the closed eyes of the Sufferer, and the face wears a pained and wearied expression; but as you gaze intently the closed eyes seem to gently open and beam upon you with the light of loving recognition. So, as you gaze upon the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ it seems to you the symbol of suffering and defeat, but as you keep your eyes steadily fixed upon it the cross gradually assumes the glory of a glittering crown, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away (1 Pet. i. 4). +Lessons.+--1. _The cross is the suggestive summary of saving truth._ 2. _The cross is the potent instrument of the highest moral conquests._ 3. _The cross is the loftiest theme of the believer's glorying._ _GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._ Ver. 14. _Christ Crucified._ I. By Christ crucified +we have reconciliation with God,+ remission of sins, and acceptance to eternal life. +II. We have the peace of God,+ peace with men, with ourselves, with the creatures. +III. We recover the right and title which we had in creation+ to all the creatures and blessings of God. +IV. All afflictions cease to be curses and punishments+ and become either trials or corrections. +V. Those who can truly glory in the cross are dead to the world and the world to them.+ VI. We are taught +to carry ourselves in the world as crucified and dead men,+ not to love, but to renounce and forsake it.--_Perkins._ _Glorying in the Cross of Christ._ +I. We glory in the doctrine of the cross--the justification of guilty men through a propitiatory sacrifice--because of its antiquity.+--It was taught by patriarchs and prophets, the law of sacrifice was its grand hieroglyphical record, the first sacrifices were its types, the first awakened sinner with his load of guilt fell upon this rock and was supported, and by the sacrifice of Christ shall the last sinner saved be raised to glory. +II. Because it forms an important part of the revelation of the New Testament.+ +III. As affording the only sure ground of confidence to a penitent sinner.+