EMBRACING THE WAY OF THE CROSS
Monday 29th May 2023
1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are what makes Christianity distinct from all other religions of faith. Here in is the power of Christianity.
The Lord is calling us back to the cross. Remember the cross does not negotiate, compromise, or wound its victim; the moment you choose the cross, you have lost. It kills you: You die to your ambitions, personal agenda, and whatever is of the flesh, world, or the devil.
Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
The deliverance of any man from the world is found on the cross. You must die on the cross daily. There are choices you are going to make that will demand you to crucify certain desires, appetites, relationships, longings, etc. because you have chosen the way of Christ. You no longer live for yourself but for Christ (Galatians 2:20) ( 2 Corinthians 5:13-15)
Therefore, before you do anything, ask yourself if it will please Your Lord, or be in alignment with His Word; if not, nail it on the cross.
Matthew 7:13-14.
Very few believers are willing to pay the price. People are living by their feelings and convenience. That's why few find the narrow road.
You lost your life when you died with Him on the cross; so you no longer live for yourself but for Christ.
Every day you are confronted with choices; whatever you choose will either bring life or death into your walk with God. Your thoughts, speech, actions, etc. are choices you make Deuteronomy 30:19
That is why it's wise for us to choose the cross daily because it attracts the help of God.
The Spirit of Christ is supplied to those who chose the way of the cross and are not living for their pleasure. (Philippians 1:19)
John 21:18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
What drives you? Are you paying attention to the heartbeat of the Holy Spirit and what the Lord Jesus is telling you? Are you truly yielded to the Holy Spirit?
Read Matthew 26:36-44
Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, knew the pain and suffering He was about to undergo, but above all the separation from the Father broke His heart the most (Matthew 27:46) . He was willing to forfeit all this so that you and I may find our way back to the Father.
That is why we cannot live for ourselves nor trivialize our salvation.
Sometimes choosing the will of the Lord is not easy; you'll be misunderstood, lose friends, etc. but these are some of the prices you'll need to pay. (2 Timothy 3:12).
This is what God is calling us to, not that we are better than other people but we must be separated to God and nail what others enjoy in order to become a vessel of noble purpose and carry levels of authority. (2Timothy 2:19-20)
But we must walk in obedience to the instructions of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If Jesus gave up His relationship with the Father so that you and I can be gotten back to the fellowship, the best we can do is to live for Him at all levels by embracing the way of the cross.
Further Study
Philippians 2
Matthew 19:21
John 14:6 - You rather lose everything else but have Jesus.
1 John 3:1-3 -Salvation is free but it cost God His Son and cost Jesus His life.
STAY BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED, WE LOVE YOU. PASTOR BEN OCHOLA!
