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Good morning. Today's video Whole is on the topic of being whole; complete spirit, soul, and body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV) Wholly means to accomplish, to perfect, to complete. Whole means completeness, maturity, health. We have been given the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; this armour keeps our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus allowing us to continue to walk by faith, casting down imaginations and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, so that in our obedience disobedience is punished. All this was given that we may be whole and complete in all manner of life; able to attend upon the Lord without distraction. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (KJV). Will you put on and keep on the whole armour of God? Prove it by reason of use; come to know, to understand, and operate in the power and wisdom of God? It has been given unto you to know. Our Father has given us all that we need to come to the knowledge of the truth, which is Christ in us the hope of glory, who is our life, the armour of God, and we are complete in Him (whole). God’s armour begins with truth and ends with the sword of the Spirit in which we are able to rightly divide the word of truth. It is the truth that will set you free and keep you free; and we have been given the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit which leads us and guides us into all truth. Truth holds all the armour together and by reason of use it frees us up to allow the manifestation of the Spirit to profit in our life (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) that our whole spirit, soul, and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes unto the Father but by me. There is no other way to be whole, but by truth, which leads to eternal life. It is a narrow path that is paved with the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and few be there that find it. Few get to the point of letting go of all their life and allow God to manifest unto them wholly all things that pertain unto life and godliness that they may be whole, spirit, soul, and body. Will you be one of the few? God bless dear brethren, and may you be whole; spirit, soul, and body in Christ Jesus our Lord. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video The Son - Part12 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; the cross of Christ. Dear Church, loved of God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, are you dying to get to Heaven? Paul the apostle said he died daily. 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (KJV) We were given an example by our Lord Jesus Christ of dying daily as He did to the fleshly lusts and desires so that He could be resurrected a new man upright and well pleasing in God’s sight. The Lord Jesus took up His spiritual cross daily, not just the physical cross that happened once that everyone knows about, but daily He died that we might live, thus why the scriptures refer to the cross of Christ. He humbled himself and laid aside the lusts of the flesh, but not without suffering, and followed the Spirit of Christ within Him. Learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; having been tempted in every manner as we are and yet sinned not (Hebrews 2:18; 4:14-16). Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (KJV) Hebrews 5:7-10 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (KJV) Have you taken up your spiritual cross, nailing the lusts of the flesh to it through obedience on a daily basis, and suffering for Christ’s sake? Taking up our cross involves dying to self, daily crucifying the old man which was born into sin (of the flesh) so that we are able to resurrect into the new man which was born into the righteousness of God (of the Spirit), Christ in us the hope of glory. Salvation is not a one and done; each day we make the choice to take up our cross and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in obedience. We have a choice to suffer and follow Christ or to take the path of least resistance and follow the lusts of the flesh and the world thereof. Romans 6:4-14 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (KJV) Sin is destroyed when we choose to be obedient to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. But remember sin can revive through temptation when we are drawn away of our own lusts, and enticed; then when lust has conceived it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death (James 1:14-15), which is separation from God our Father. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV) But thanks be to God for His grace who has given us a great high priest, an advocate, on our behalf, Jesus Christ our Lord who is the only way to restore peace with the Father. There is no peace with God our Father without abiding (remaining) in Christ, and Christ abiding in us; the cross of Christ. So dearly loved, take up the cross of Christ and live. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)
The Lord begins this chapter encouraging the believers not to be troubled but to continue believing. You can expect opposition as you take your place in the body of Christ, because the more grounded you become in the Lord the more of a threat you become to the enemy. You have a place prepared and ready for you to take up residence in, but there is a spiritual enemy who will do all he can to detour you and try and keep you in this fallen realm. Only the truth will set you free and allow you to carry out your heavenly calling so that you can be a true resident of the kingdom of God in Christ. Ephesians 3:9-12 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (10) To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (12) In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV) Our fellowship with God, our citizenship with Him is described as a mystery, something hidden to the carnal man but readily revealed to those in Christ. There are principalities in the heavenly realm, like with a football team, the defense is stacked up at the goal line trying to deny you access to it. This principality, or as it is described the prince of the power of the air, the devil and his angels, will do all they can to try to talk you out of your inheritance and your rightful place in the body of Christ by attempting to deny you access to His kingdom. But to those that are in Christ and have His spirit bearing witness to their spirit, they will know the truth and boldly confidently access His kingdom by letting these principalities know who they are in Christ, and that these principalities need to step aside because they are going in. The only way one can know all the spiritual blessings they have been blessed with is by entering into the kingdom of God and staying seated with Christ to hear His doctrine of love and liberty in Him. Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (KJV) There is spiritual armor available to ward off spiritual resistance, so the more you keep the shield of faith up and operational the less likely you will be hit in the vitals with a fiery dart from the wicked one. Do know that there will be opposition to those that take up residency in their heavenly place, and that there are principalities and powers that will do all they can to pull you back into the realm of the flesh. Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (KJV) Strong’s definition for ‘persuaded’: 3982 peitho (pi'-tho); a primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty): KJV-- agree, assure, believe, have confidence, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield. Are you of the persuasion that nothing or no one is going to separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord? That no one or no being is going to keep you from accessing your heavenly reward? Those that know their rights and authority in Christ will continue in the faith grounded and settled and not allow themselves to be moved away or evicted from their heavenly place in Christ, but rather they will let the enemy know it is time to step aside as they go forward, and don’t let the door hit you on my way in. Luke 4:6-8 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (7) If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. (8) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (KJV) Jesus of Nazareth knew who He was in Christ and how to access the kingdom of God despite opposition from principalities in heavenly places. In fact He knew that God promised His people that they would be the head and not the tail, so He put the devil in his place by walking past him and leaving him behind. When you encounter persecution or obstacles the devil tries to put in your path, will you be as quick to respond in the Spirit and put him in his place as well, that being a fallen one, or will you get caught up in petty wrestling matches in the affairs of this life? The more you stay seated in the heavenly realm in Christ, hearing His message, the more you will continue to move forward in your walk with Him and not let anyone tell you different. The Lord has prepared a place for you in His kingdom, now put the distractions behind you and obtain what is rightfully yours. Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (KJV) The enemy is like a little tattle tale, slinging mud at the believers to see if it will stick. Those that know their rights and authority in Christ will be blameless, without spot before Him. Once you have been cleansed by the washing of the water by the word of God it is imperative that you keep clean so that the mud does not stick. While accessing your place in the heavenly realm, do know there will be opposition, but do keep the persuasion and the mindset that nothing will come before your love for God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord who is seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly realm with a place for you right next to Him. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Colossians 2:11-15 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (15) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation for Colossians 2:11-15 11. And through your union with Him you once received, not a hand-performed circumcision but one performed by Christ, in stripping you of your lower nature, 12. for you were buried with Him in baptism and raised to life with Him through your faith in the power of God who raised Him from the dead. 13. Yes, although you were dead through your shortcomings and were physically uncircumcised, God made you live again through fellowship with Christ. He graciously forgave us all our shortcomings, 14. canceled the note that stood against us, with its requirements, and has put it out of our way by nailing it to the cross. 15. He thus stripped the principalities and dominions of power and made a public display of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Again as we notice in the above illustrations, that rituals of the old law were symbolic of what is taking place in the spiritual realm. As we ended yesterday’s study we concluded with the fact that circumcision means nothing to our Lord anymore because He is more concerned with the new man, a new creation in Christ that is forming within the believer. Baptism is illustrated again for us as one of spiritual in nature, a life changing event that should be taking place within the believer and not some outward show or ritual. Once one is able to die to self and their own desires of the flesh then the Spirit is able to take over so that your desires are more of those things which are above and not below, or below our Lord’s standards and intent for His people. The Lord removed the curse of the old law and nailed it to His cross symbolizing that the debt is paid and we are now free to walk in the liberty which is only found in Christ. When we see people still holding to laws and rituals, we are seeing people that profess to know God but by dead works deny Him and the completed work He accomplished for us. Simply put, they are calling God a liar and claiming He didn’t do a complete work and that more was needed; not a good place to be in people. 1 Corinthians 1:14-18 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; (15) Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. (16) And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. (17) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV) I don’t know if there was a more die hard staunch believer, as well as indoctrinated in the old law, as a man named Paul, formerly known as Saul. As we see illustrated in the above verses, Paul himself came to the conclusion of what his calling truly was and how he himself was crossing over from the old into the new. Many people today enjoy hearing the word of God especially when it deals with blessings, but start teaching about dying to self, crucifying the flesh and its lusts, and that same many will head for the exits. Paul clearly states and points out that Christ did not send him to baptize, but rather teach the doctrine of Christ that deals with the new inward creation not the old fallen one. While many still consider the preaching and teaching of the cross and what it truly takes to be baptized into Christ foolishness, few realize that is where their salvation and power is. Take notice of verse 17 as well, because for those that still hold to these outward rituals and ignore the true spiritual meaning or implication of them, they are in essence leaning back to their own understanding and their teaching and preaching is of none effect. Hebrews 6:1-6 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (3) And this will we do, if God permit. (4) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (6) If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV) Remember watching the movie ‘The Passion of the Christ’, and how painful it was to watch them nail our Lord to the cross? How one would watch this take place and think ‘how could they ever do that to our Lord’? Did you ever stop and think that is what is still taking place when people misinterpret the true spiritual meaning of the word of God, they are in essence crucifying the Lord and His doctrine again? One way or the other, you have a choice to either take up your own cross and follow our Lord, or drive another nail into our Lord and His people by teaching doctrine contrary to what our Lord intended. Remember when you sin and wound the conscience of the believers you are sinning personally against Christ, and crucifying Him all over again. As we see in the first few verses of Hebrews, that these basic principles and doctrines that were in place before are things we should be leaving behind, not still trying to implement. Once a believer gets a true taste of the truth and what these things symbolized it is time to move forward and walk in the Spirit, not trying to fulfill an old law that our Lord already did for us. Galatians 3:23-28 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.(28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (KJV) Schools out people, and has been for over two thousand years. God’s people have graduated and are now walking in a new realm, one of faith in what Christ Jesus has done on our behalf and wishes to continue in each and every believer. When you enter the realm of the Spirit and seek to be seated with Christ then you need to leave your old nature at the door and put on a new man in order to enter into this realm. While some people claim that a certain sect or group of people were responsible for the crucifixion of our Lord; the word clearly states that God knows no one after the flesh but after the Spirit. Bottom line, we are either for Him or against Him, and spiritually many are still crucifying and butchering the true spiritual meaning of the word of God by hanging onto dead rituals that were nailed to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Are you crossing over into the realm of the Spirit, or are you still hanging onto dead things which only bring dead results? He that has ears to hear let them hear what the Spirit is truly speaking today. God’s best and continue to walk in the Spirit. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:5-8 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead is freed from sin. (8) Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (KJV)
As we see in the above verses, although our Lord was crucified on the cross at Calvary it didn’t end there, but rather there is a continual crucifixion that has to take place in each and every believer if they to wish to partake of a new life in Christ. Do you know for a fact that your old fallen nature is crucified and being kept in subjection to the Spirit, or are you running from the truth and looking for an alternate way out? You wonder why at times that it seems hard to believe in the word of God more than what the outward circumstances are dictating, most likely it is because you haven’t died to self, but rather you spend more time feeding the flesh than the Spirit. Our Lord went to a cross at Calvary so that He could die and a new man could resurrect. We too are constantly dying on a daily basis so that a new man can resurrect and live a life dictated by the Spirit and not the flesh and its lethal desires. If you notice in the above verses, 6&8, you see words like, is crucified, and now if we be dead with Christ. Many teach a one and done theory, that all you have to do is show up at some organization, do some ritual or recite some sinners prayer and your ticket is stamped; but be assured nothing could be farther from the truth; and this once saved always saved is a doctrine the devil enjoys seeing taught. Your commitment to our Lord is just the beginning, so the fact that God sent His Son to do a complete work on our behalf and give us a perfect example He expects nothing short of a whole hearted commitment as well if you wish to obtain your inheritance, which simply put means, walk not just talk. Galatians 2:17-20 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. (18) For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (19) For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. (20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV) Paul didn’t make the statement I was, or I am thinking about this crucifixion stuff, but rather it is something that he continued in to the end. The devil made me do it or blaming others for your lack of diligence in the word of God is not an excuse for sin, and don’t think for one moment that you would be the first person to ever accept the Lord and walk with Him for a season only to end up walking away and falling back into sin. Thus the reason why God had Paul write words of encouragement concerning baptism and crucifixion so that God’s people wouldn’t fall back into the old ways but continue to walk in the Spirit realm. No one said it was going to be an easy path that leads to eternal life, however there is only one that will get you there and it is the same one our Lord walked, even that stuff that happened at Calvary. As a Christian, in order to maintain a healthy walk with the Lord you will have to take up your own cross on a daily basis if you truly wish to move forward in your walk. Otherwise you will end up sitting at the garden of Gethsemane sweating drops of blood and dreading the outcome. Please keep in mind that although there was a death it was followed by a glorious resurrection; so know too for yourself that even though the Lord is asking us to nail something to the cross, afterward there is also a glorious resurrection of a new found life in Christ. Once you put your hand to the plow the enemy will do all he can to keep you from looking forward to the new life the Lord has for you, but rather he will try to keep you stuck in the old realm drinking the old whine. Be sure that if the Lord is asking you to walk away from something, focus more on what He is asking you to walk into knowing that it is for your benefit, one that will draw you closer to Him. Galatians 6:12-15 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. (13) For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. (14) But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (15) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (KJV) Williams New Testament translation for Galatians 6:12-13 12. These men who are trying to force you to let yourselves be circumcised simply want to make a fine outward show, only to keep you from being persecuted for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. 13. Indeed, the very men who let themselves be circumcised do not themselves observe the law. But they simply want you to let yourselves be circumcised, so that they can boast of you as members of their party. Did you ever stop and think why people still hold to rituals, works of the law? Most of it is just some big show. Like a circus, they use the people so that they can boast of big numbers; really, like that is going to impress God. Quite the opposite is true people; Paul realized that in order to please a Spiritual being he could no longer be a people pleaser, one that was seeking approval from the world and its worldly preachers. Worldly people seek recognition of other worldly people and base their results on outward things and not inward. Whether it manifests in the form of circumcision, water baptism, or some other dead end ritual it’s all for naught and avails nothing. The only thing important to God is that new creation within, something you should be concerned with as well. While many people flock to a circus to see some death defying act, or to get entertained, many of these so called traveling evangelists and preachers are nothing more than a circus act. Back in the day when a man named P.T. Barnum started the circus he realized that the acts, tricks, and illusions would bring in thousands of people as well as thousands of dollars. He also made the statement concerning the flocks of people ‘that a sucker is born every day’. As I look around at what man calls preachers and teachers and so called sound doctrine, I too see ‘that suckers are born again every day’ because of their lack of diligence and knowledge in the word of God; and the fact that they don’t take a stand for the Lord, and they end up falling for any cheap trick and illusion of the devil seeking more to be entertained than built up in the truth. A crucifixion took place at Calvary some two thousand years ago to pay the price for mankind and allow you access into the realm of the Spirit. It didn’t end there people, but is a symbol, a likeness or representation of something that should be continuing in each and every believer so that they can continue their walk in the Spirit no longer feeding and nurturing the old fallen man. A new day has come, now go walk in it. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:3-7 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead is freed from sin. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for ‘likeness’: 3667 homoioma- what has been made after the likeness of something a) a figure, a image, a likeness, a representation b) likeness that is, resemblance, such as amounts almost to equality or identity When we see the word ‘likeness’ we are now looking at something that is a representation, a resemblance, something that took place in the physical but now has spiritual meaning. Basically when looking at baptism and its true meaning we see it more as a continual process, not just some ritual where one gets dunked then goes merrily on their way. If you were to hold someone under water for an extended period of time it would eventually lead to death, drowning the physical which in turn would release the spirit from the body. In essence this is what Paul is making reference to, similar to the Old Testament sacrifices that were killed, which then released the spirit. When a believer immerses themselves in the living waters and remains in that realm the flesh, or as Paul described our old man, dies so that the Spirit can be released and take over. Another way the seed is planted, which our seed is Christ, is in the likeness of his death which was by crucifixion. In order for our Lord to resurrect and be seated at the right hand of the Father He had to go to the cross, which not only happened in the outward but also took place in the inward. In order for us to obtain our eternal inheritance we to have to die to self in the same fashion as our Lord did; however ours takes place in the spiritual realm. Luke 9:22-25 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. (23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (25) For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (KJV) As our Lord was preparing to fulfill His calling and pay the price for mankind, he was also describing the same baptism Paul was describing in Romans 6, how each and every believer in Christ would have to take up their own cross on a daily basis in order to inherit their reward. As painful and excruciating as it was to drive nails into the body, it also subdued the body and kept it in subjection. Things in your life that you thought were gain, which were worldly, are now nailed to a spiritual cross and brought into subjection to the Spirit so that you won’t be lost, or cast away from your inheritance. Now the question becomes ‘how many are willing to follow our Lord, even as far as the cross’? We hear so many speak of baptism, but so few speak of the true spiritual baptism that brings new life to the believer by leaving their old life buried. Just as similar as it was in the time of our Lord, when it comes time to die many run for cover and scramble, even denying the Lord by rejecting the truth of what He is asking of His people; to take up their own cross. Every believer in Christ comes to their own crossroad, a time when the Lord says we need to nail down an area of the flesh that is hindering our walk so that the Spirit can take over. Sad to say this is where many draw the line and look for another way out, which the enemy is glad to show them an alternate route which ends up to be a dead end. When you are facing your own trial like our Lord did in the garden of Gethsemane, in the end will you let the Lord’s will be done, or will you walk away? Philippians 3:17-19 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (18) (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (KJV) The cross of Christ is spiritual in nature, a doctrine that speaks of crucifying the flesh and its desires rather than pampering it and justifying the lower fallen nature. As I look around today and listen to man’s doctrines, they mostly speak of the world and seek their gain in this realm rather than looking deeper into the spiritual realm to seek and please our Heavenly Father. The phrase “if it feels good do it” no longer works for those in Christ, but rather they have come to the knowledge that the flesh and Spirit are contrary one to the other. A house divided will fall, so being the fact that you are the temple of the living God it would be in your best interest to keep your temple in subjection to the Spirit. John 6:24-27 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. (25) And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? (26) Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. (27) Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (KJV) What is your motive for serving the Lord, and why are you seeking Him? Is it truly to do His will, or are you looking to get a belly full? Like with many politicians today, many so called preachers promise liberty and a better life in the physical, however, they ignore the spiritual and the true meaning of the scriptures, and leave the people starving for lack of nourishment. As meat is a good source of protein for the physical body, spiritual meat is a definite requirement for the Spirit man if one is going to truly grow and mature in the Lord. Are you seeing the eternal meaning and intention of the scriptures and what they truly represent, or are you like so many carnal babies that think dunking people in water has any real substance? Remember, the things that are seen are temporal, it’s the unseen spiritual which is eternal and will endure to the end, will you? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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