The cross...missing? Jesus narrated his prospective ordeal in the hands of the Jews in Matthew 16:21-22. He said theyll scourge and eventually kill him. Peter attempted stopping him from going there. I would have done same. Why would I lose an anointed master? In verse 23, Jesus reacted swiftly, calling Peter Satan. He said You savour not the things that be of God; but those that be of men. It was the same peter that cut off the ear of one of those that arrested Jesus. The master then turned to other disciples in verse 25 saying If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. He spoke of this cross in other contexts, specifying that those who dont carry it cant be his disciples. See Luke 14:27. This cross isnt the physical type; not the ones used as a pendant for the neck or attached to the Roman Catholics rosary. Its the spiritual one that kills the power source of our rebellion. Paul said in Galatians 6:14 that by the cross, he was crucified to the world and vice versa. Whats the cross that you and I must bear? For Jesus to save us from sin, for him to do Gods will, his body was crucified till it died. It didnt feel good, but Jesus submitted to the Fathers will. What must kill our lust, jealousy, pride, greed, fear and love for the world, and every work of the flesh? The cross we must carry. Galatians 5:24, Paul said those who are Christs have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts. Our flesh cries and longs to be pleased. It demands against godly principles and desires immediate gratification, but the Spirit keep saying no. We must endure the pain of being denied fleshly desires everyday. The vanity, ego, self will, greed, fornication, being highly opinionated etc, must meet the cross. We must die. Jesus doesnt call anyone to make him/her better. Dont be deceived. He calls us to come and die. A new nature must be birthed from within. But the new wont evolve if the old doesnt die. Paul died daily, 1 Cor. 15:31. Jesus said we should carry the cross daily, Luke 9:23. Everyday our flesh must die on the cross by denying it its desires. Its so stubborn. Many folks claim to be saved today; some even speak with tongues. But they gratify the their fleshly desires at every turn. They think and act in accordance with the system of this present world, but they dont miss services. They are so excited about their denomination and G.O. These ones need to be told before its too late that being a disciple of Christ is dying on the cross everyday. You can hear about prosperity, breakthrough, covenant wealth and health, supernatural healing, wonders of praise and knowing whom to marry, its okay. But alas! If The cross is replaced with coins, if you dont hear messages about the cross, youve been given another gospel. Its not the gospel of Christ. Run from such preachers. Theyre the enemies of the cross, whose minds are filled with earthly things. Oh! Youll endure the pain and despise the shame as your ego, worldly accentuation, envy, bitterness, unforgiving inclination, rivalry, fleshly competition, false impression, anger, foolish talking, love of pleasure and secret desire for the world etc gets hacked by the cross. This is the true principle for seekers of spiritual maturity. Many who claim to have answered an altar call need to be taught. Being born again isnt easy believism, reciting some prayers or giving mental accent to Christs death. Its a call to come and die. Its not to come and get a car or catch fun. Paul warned Timothy about those who would no longer endure sound doctrine. See 2 Timothy 4:3. Theyll heap up teachers thatll teach after their lust; there are messages they want to hear. Theyll claim to be Christians. These ones will turn their back on the doctrine of the cross later. Theyll follow fables that soothes fleshly and worldly desires. But I fear for their fate. The cross works with pain, but its for our gain. Whatever pain and denial youll go through for you to do Gods will, endure it. Carry the cross. Rich, poor, literate and illiterate believers all have their cross. No one is exempted. Lord give me light that I might see. Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 09:58:29 +0000
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