Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3500
Dying: a putting to death, a state of death
From the Greek word 'nekrósis' (pronounced nek'-ro-sis): dead or lifeless condition.
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS
Luke 9:23
Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
We who choose Christ as our Savior are baptized into His death, which includes His sufferings, His humiliations, His (at times) silence. In this born again life we now live, having chosen to follow Christ faithfully, we, too, will suffer, for so He has called us to do. Those who pick up their cross (make a decision to follow Him even after considering the consequences) will also know the same sufferings.
Our families will be divided. Mine were against me being a woman preacher. Since I wouldn't change my mine some in my family refused to speak to me, while a handful supported my decision. But I did not back down and remained faithful in my calling. This faithfulness has caused some who turned against me to turn to Christ.
Our friends will forsake us, seeing us changed after receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior, and not wanting that change as yet for themselves, they will leave us. But that's alright. While we remain adamant in our decision, we do so with the Love of God living in us.
The decisions we made when we lived a life without Christ are not the same decisions we make in Christ. No more mind-altering drugs, no more uninhibited drinking, no more nightclubs and parties as such. No more listening to and believing liars, who twist the Word to their own convenience. Even my favorite genres of music and books has changed. No longer do I walk in darkness, for I have found the Light, and I'm following Him now.
I have picked up my cross and I am following Jesus. Though my body, mind and spirit know the pain of walking this journey with Christ, I also know the joy of walking WITH CHRIST: the born again Christians are never really alone, for He helps us carry our cross through the power of the Holy Spirit.
THIS CROSS I CARRY
It is no light thing to 'take up' our cross. That cross Christ carried across His shoulders was heavy, so heavy that His bruised and bloody body could not even bear the weight of it as He slowly made His way up the hillside path. He needed help.
We, too, would not be able to make it through to the end if we did not have each other to help us carry our crosses. And we carry them on a daily basis, not just once and we're done. For while we are making our way through this world, wherever Christ leads us, we are doing so one day at a time.
This cross I carry, I carry without complaint, for so my Savior did also. Though groans may have escaped His lips, whining and complaining did not. Though tears may have flowed down His cheeks, He did not retaliate against those who were mocking Him. In His humiliation He neither threatened anyone, nor attacked His accusers in any form. He forgave.
And while He was dying, after having been nailed to the cross, at least one more believed and was admitted into Paradise with Jesus. Immediately after His last breath, the centurion who stood near said, "Truly this was the Son of God." (Mark 15:39). He would be the first of many to believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God.
DYING DAILY TO REVEAL LIFE IN CHRIST
To die daily is to put bring my body and my mind into submission to the Word of God. It is to put God first in my life every day. When I awaken, I greet Him. "Good Morning, Lord" and "Welcome, Holy Spirit." I make myself clean and presentable on the outside while He makes me clean and acceptable on the inside.
The Word tells us to pray without ceasing, so I do. I am in constant communication with my Lord. Kneeling is not always necessary, which is good because I am not yet physically back to the point where I can do so without pain and requiring assistance to get back up again. The Lord is with me and that's enough.
To die daily is to surrender what I want to do with my day and receive what He wants to do in me in the day. The night is for sleep and for rest; the day is for work. And the days are short and getting shorter.
Time is running out, the sand in the hourglass moves faster than it used to. Not only is this a proven scientific fact now, the Word has revealed it to us. Mark 13:20 tells us that God will shorten the days of tribulation for the sake of His people.
And while that Day is not yet arrived, no one knows the hour of their death or the manner thereof; therefore, we must always be ready. And we can't be ready if we're not saved by the water and the blood which flowed from Jesus' side. We can't be ready if the Spirit of God is not in us, transforming our old self into our new self. We must get ready and live as if Jesus were returning today.
Dear God,
Be my God. Be my Savior. Forgive me of all my sins and my trespasses. For I have been a wicked sinner and I have trespassed against You. Forgive me of unclean thoughts and fill my mind with Your Word. Forgive me of unloving words which I have spoken and fill my heart with Your Word. Forgive me for the wrong I have done to others in my ignorance of what is right and fill me with Your Word, that Your Love would guide my actions.
O Lord, I am a sinner and desire to be saved by Your grace, for only You can save a wretch like me! Only You can fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Only You can quench this thirst and sustain this hunger that I have to know You better. Only You can show me mercy and, Lord, only You can forgive me.
Bring me into Yourself and be welcomed in me. You knocked on the door of my heart and I am letting You in. Stay with me as long You like. Remain in me and I will remain in You.
In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen
DRAW ME NEARER - Hymn
AT THE CROSS - Chris Tomlin
ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER - Robin Mark
OCEANS - Hillsong United
BREATHE - Michael W. Smith
I SURRENDER - Hillsong
I OFFER MY LIFE - Don Moen
