It is absolutely necessary for our development in Christ that we face this cross. This is not to be confused with coming to the cross to receive initial salvation, the new life of the spirit and the washing away of iniquity by the Blood that was shed for us. We initially come to the cross only to receive, by faith, the finished work of the cross.
Mat 16:24-26 AMP Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also]. (25) For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting]. (26) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life [his blessed life in the kingdom of God]? Or what would a man give as an exchange for his [blessed] life [in the kingdom of God]?
Once we have received and benefited from the work of the cross, we are then commanded to walk the way of the cross. The work of the cross and the way of the cross are therefore two separate uses of the same instrument. The work of the cross was finished by Jesus our Savior. The way is for us to follow him in his footsteps. Of course, we cannot do this without it being Christ living in us doing it. Our part in this is simply humble submission.
The cross we are to bear each day is not a literal cross leading to a literal crucifixion at the hands of religious Jews and Roman officials. That work of Christ is finished, as he said on that cross, “It is finished.” However, if we will not take up our own cross and follow him, he said we are not worthy of him.
This is the test of each person to reveal if they really have the Life of God in them having been “born again,” or if they converted religiously. Anyone with a new spirit will desire to follow Jesus, and not just claim belief in him.
Our cross can be summed up in this; deny self. This is what Jesus said, “let him deny himself.” If any man wants to follow Jesus, he must “deny himself” and take up his cross. That is what our cross is all about.
Mat 26:39 AMP And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire.
Here we see how the way of the cross really started for Jesus. The first step is dying to our own way in order to go the way our Father in heaven wills. This is to deny ourselves, our selfish ambitions, our own desires, in order to live for God, godly ambition, and godly desires.
This is not a religious action of the outward man to appear to be carrying his cross. Doing so will get you nowhere with the God who sees the heart and its motives. There must be a true sacrifice of self on this cross. Then and only then it becomes no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in (and through) me.
Gal 2:20 AMP I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
We do not accomplish this in our own strength. It is simply a matter of surrendering to God and the working of the Holy Spirit, causing us to share in Christ’s crucifixion that we may also share in his resurrection. If you truly submit to God, you will be walking with this revelation of your cross on which you were co-crucified with Christ, and dying to self (the old self).
Joh 3:30 AMP He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.] [Isa. 9:7.]
This message is ONLY for those who are already in Christ, having been made new creations, born of the Spirit, and in a relationship with God. This cannot be done by the works of the flesh, even religious works. But being in relationship with God through Messiah, you are able to submit to the leading of the Spirit who will lead you to deny yourself and take up your cross to follow our Master.
The real test of discipleship is whether it is going to be about you, or about the Lord. Are you going to be consciously aware of the finished work of the cross and submitted to it?
*Updated 1/13/2010
January 13th, 2010 - 8:24 pm
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