The
Cross
Galatians 2:20
No one in their right mind wants to die. Have you ever met or talked with a person who is suicidal? They are "out of their mind" or out of touch, and they need help. Jesus said over and over, "I must go to Jerusalem and die", and he wasn't out of his mind. In a real sense, dying is necessary, and we as Christians need to desire it and embrace it if we are ever going to count in the Kingdom. In the Word of God this is a priority! There are any number of illustrations, parables and direct teaching concerning this truth. Unless a kernel fall to the ground and die it cannot live. What Jesus did on Golgotha is the crux of living the Christian life. Over and over God tells us this basic training; that we too must die to self (self love, selfish ambition, possessions, pride, selfish pleasures, and a myriad of other things).
This is becoming the priority of my life, and I find it extremely difficult. My body and my ego want to stand up and be nurtured, yet the Holy Spirit in me prods me to die to self. He (Holy Spirit) assists me in erasing my life as I allow Him to. I want Him to consume my past and allow it to explain, not excuse, my present. I want Him to plan, promote, and control my future. This is His life, His body, His possession. He bought it with His own blood, and I have no right to feel any ownership whatsoever.Practically, how do we die to self and appropriate this priority?
There must be a deep attitude change and hunger in my heart, convinced that this is necessary.
We must be possessed with nausea concerning the state of the church, especially our own state. We must be ready and willing for God to begin His work today and find no more excuses.
We must be ready to relinquish all rights and ownership to all possessions, time, and especially our own life and reputation.
We must embrace a new honesty with regard to sin in our own heart. (A note to leaders; do not wait on others because God wants to begin at the top)
Dying on the cross is a humiliating experience and many will resist, jeer, and walk away.
Pain will be involved and I will want to be excused even at the last minute. (Let this cup pass)
This is not a one time decision or exercise. It is daily in every relationship, business deal, conversation, etc.
Make a list of unsurrendered ground and nail it to the cross one by one in a time of prayer.Receive His death - this is priority. God bless you.
