The Conquering Cross of Christ [podcast]

The LORD is Holy. He will not compete or coexist with any idol – beginning with the idol of self.

“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8

The LORD Almighty is above all and greater than any idol.

“God, the mighty Creator, now addresses the Messiah and tells what He proposes to accomplish through this One whom He has called . . . in righteousness. God will not share His glory with another, and least of all with carved images.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Not only will God not share His glory with graven images, He also will not share or give His glory to that which is an idol erected in the hearts and minds of self-idolaters.

“[glory] Hebrew: kabowd (H3519), weight; splendor; glory; honor. God won’t give the praise and honor that are due Him to angels, demons, men, or idols. Men must not take to themselves any glory for ideas, doctrines, works, wisdom, power, or ability that has come from God for His glory. Man is not worthy of such glory; how much less are images worthy of it.” Dake

The graven image of self must be crucified, must be crippled, that Christ might reign! God will not be glorified in any life where there is idolatry. The god of self, the power of the iniquitous flesh, can only be diminished, crucified by way of the cross.

You must go down deep into the death and burial of Christ. God will then raise you upward in His power!

“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. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

Jesus conquered hell by dying (the cross) and being resurrected (Hebrews 2:14). By this same unalterable divine prescription shall we conquer.

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

Jesus is building the revelation of His kingdom, His cross economy kingdom, inside of the hearts of all who are truly His, and “the gates of hell shall not prevail against” that remnant! His remnant are “planted together in the likeness of his death” and are and will experience “his resurrection.” Read this closely:

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” Romans 6:5

Serving God must be His way and no other – must be on His terms – and His way, His term is the cross. The cross terminates the self-life, self-will (Colossians 3:3).

The Cross Clears the way for Christ to Reign

The cross prevents, separates the old man from reigning on the throne of our heart! (Death and burial). And Christ replaces the sin-cursed old man/flesh (resurrection) (Romans 6; Colossians 3:9-10). Now are we seeing why Jesus says that in order to follow Him that each who follows Him must “take up his cross daily”?

“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.” Luke 9:23-24

The flesh must be nullified so that Christ can be glorified in our lives! The cross.

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:9-10 

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Prescription for the victory of Christ “the hope of glory” reigning in us His children (Colossians 1:27): The “old man” must by the cross life be “daily” “put off” so that Christ, “the resurrection and the life” Himself might reign through the “new man.”

Here’s the other place Scripture speaks of the “put off” and the “put on” ….

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

“The new man” speaks of the regenerated, the born again man, the temple of the Holy Ghost, the “new creature” (John 3:3, 7; Titus 3:5-7).

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 

Learning the Cross – the Crucified Life

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

When John the Baptist uttered these words, was he not giving absolute preference to Christ over the will of the flesh?

Someone has rightly stated:

“If Jesus is truly Lord of your life you will allow Him to be greater! John 3: 30.”

Another says:

“The flesh must be crucified before the fruit can be produced.”

“The power of the resurrection is in the disciple abiding in Christ. Our life begins with God and ends, or should I say remains in God through the cross. I noticed this morning reading Galatians 5:16-25, that God the Spirit is the beginning and the finisher of our faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 5:16;25) All the work between these two verses is the Holy Spirit sanctifying the redeemed as we yield. Noticed also, that the flesh must be crucified before the fruit can be produced. We can’t put the cart before the horse, no amount of fleshly works or striving will do. Just humble submission to the leading of His Spirit and then the lifting up: the fruit (James 4:6-10; Romans 6:22).” Jon Crane

YOUR PRAYER: Dear LORD, You are holy and we are “desperately wicked” WITHOUT You. We are consequently so very desperate FOR You LORD (Jeremiah 17:9). Dear LORD Jesus, this day, “You must increase but I must decrease” LORD Jesus (John 3:30). In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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