The gifts you have are not for you but rather for the glory of the One who gave them to you – to be used to edify christ’s body and not draw attention to you (1 Peter 4:10-11).
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3
THOSE who sit around boasting of their gifts and yet not being diligent to obey God in using them in serving HIM, are headed straight for hell. Just as their father, satan, glorified himself in his pride due to his gifts, so shall these rebels be damned irrevocably. Hell is full of rebels who were gifted by God. EVERY gift is from God – to glorify HIM, not you! (1 Peter 4:10-11)
“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7
You are not special – and will be damned like all other rebels if you choose to live outside of God’s stated will (Matthew 7:21). Repent now. You are wicked and HE is “Wonderful”! (Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 9:6-7)
“For THE LEADERS of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16
One of the ways Satan targets, deceives, and snares saints is via false leaders – wolves who wear sheep’s clothing. Satan uses false leaders to turn the affections of people’s heart away from Christ and onto them. Their personalities and ministries and church building projects are projected in the minds of their prey so regularly, therapeutically that most people never realize it. Study Colossians 2:18-19 closely saints.
We see this happening with David and his son Absalom where his son “Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” (2 Samuel 15:6) Absalom intercepted the affections of the hearts, directing them upon himself instead of King David. David was a type of Christ and Absalom is a type of false teachers and the antichrist. Anti means in place of. Absalom sought to put himself in place of his father David – to replace him in order to be esteemed, popular, worshipped (Colossians 2:18-19). This is what false prophets do. They get your attention, your support, and your money on them – Not Christ! (Colossians 2:18-19)
The LORD is much more intent upon His children having the FRUIT of the Spirit thank He is the GIFTS of the Spirit. Yes, both are part of His New Testament program and yet one is priority above the other! Read 1 Cor 13.
Self-serving, self-seeking, self-willed, cross-less people seek to relish and use the gifts God gave to bring glory to self (John 7:18). Isn’t this exactly what Lucifer did before he was violently ejected from Heaven by the LORD who “resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble”? (Isaiah 14:12-15; Luke 10:18; James 4:8; Ezekiel 28:13-15)
To know your gifts is one thing. To focus on and to proclaim your supposed gift and calling to bring attention to yourself is deceitful and evil.
Jesus told us that those who are self-seeking instead of Savior seeking, seek their own glory and not God’s:
“He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” John 7:18
It’s a dead give away when you hear individuals and ministries relishing, seeking out, and talking about gifts and yet out of those same mouths you never hear them relishing Jesus, His blood, His divinity, His Majesty, the cross, the original Gospel message, and His soon coming. Run!
Those gifts God has given were given strictly to serve the One who gave them, not us (1 Peter 4:10-11). We shall give full account of how we used those gifts (Romans 14:10, etc.).
You are not a celebrity but rather a mere servant of the KING of kings.
WHY not just shut up and SERVE? Memorize Matthew 23:11 and Philippians 2:3-5 today.
MANY wonder what their calling is and there are a whole lot of folk in ministries that will accommodate and yet never call them to the cross. Interesting. There is no Christianity without the cross of Christ and our cross. Nothing of Christ’s kingdom works outside of the crucified, the cross life. There are many books circulating that engage people in seeking out what their gifts are. Yet, we hear very little of truly repenting and laying down our lives. Our calling is to die, to lay down our lives, and serve, serve, serve – God and others, not self – that’s why we must have the daily cross. Funny many ministries never mention this paramount, absolutely essential truth of Christ’s Gospel (Matthew 16:24-25; 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33, 17:33; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). God will show us the gifts He put in us as we obey Him (John 7:17-18). Let’s seek the Giver and not the gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11).
The cross gets us out of the way so Jesus reigns and blesses! It must be!
God gave us gifts so we could glorify Him with them and to bless others by them – never bringing undue attention to ourselves in whom “no good thing dwelleth.” (Romans 7:18)
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
God is not impressed with the gifts HE gave you. He’s holding you personally responsible for using them to glorify Him not you! 1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10-11
Of the cross and its relationship to God’s gifts in us, one commentator writes:
“Our gifts to benefit others and ourselves (grace) flow out the fountainhead, God the Father, but only thru the cross, Christ Crucified. Moses smote the Rock and the water of life flowed out of, to, and through the followers of God. For I have determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Religion and Law VS the Cross and grace. We must present our bodies to the cross as a living sacrifice just as Shadrach Meshach and Abednego presented their bodies to the cross, the 7x’s hotter fiery furnace. They were freed or “loosed” from their bindings and freed from sin, the law of the golden image which kills, Nebuchadnezzar (Satan) and death. Praise God!! Daniel 3.”
We have all been given gifts from our Maker and those gifts of God are given to us by Him in order to bring Him glory and to bless and serve others with, not ourselves.
—UNLIKE humans, God doesn’t aggrandize or value anyone according to their gifts – remember HE gave those gifts. And, He will judge us all according as we have used the gifts He invested in us. See the parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. Learn this Bible chapter well. There is much to be gained. Will you hear “Well done my good and faithful servant” or “cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”? Am I using the gifts the LORD invested in me to bring glory to myself or the nail-scarred, Risen LORD and Savior? Read Matthew 25.
Far too many people have been led by wolves to the altar of self-service, such as searching out your gifts, taking gift tests. etc. We see that no where in the New Testament. Jesus calls those who will follow Him to deny self, take up the cross, and humbly serve, serve, serve – God and others and not to seek out what gifts are in us but rather simply love and serve everyone around us (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24, etc.).
The thing being pointed out here is that many use prophet and apostle as a title to elevate themselves instead of simply humbly serving while drawing all attention to Jesus and not to self – the cross.
Take notice in the following passage how seriously and with trepidation Paul looked toward the judgment to come:
“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-11
In light of “the terror of the Lord,” the apostle persuaded men to do good according to the LORD who watches and weighs the motives and intentions of the hearts of all men.
“The LORD looketh on the heart (not the gifts).” 1 Samuel 16:7
God is not impressed with our gifts. He gave them. He’s not in awe when we flash them or use them and mere men celebrate us for doing so.
In fact, we are instructed by the LORD to go out of our way and use the energy and faculties He has given to us to lift up the less desirable among His people (to the human eye).
“And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow (hedge about) more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism (division) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1 Corinthians 12:23-25
As good stewards of God’s gifts, we are to use all of our energies and faculties, not to elevate ourselves but rather the Savior and His blessed people. While others flock to the person who can sing or preach well, you and I, as Christ’s disciples, are to look and find that person who is off to the side, neglected, and in need of edification and the love of God through Christ’s body.
“There is NO respecter of persons with God.” Romans 2:11 (memory verse)
Partiality is sin and such a sin is addressed throughout God’s Word. Here’s an example:
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17
God’s Word is the fountain of divine wisdom and, I must say that memorizing the above Bible verse has truly been a blessing in a myriad of ways (Proverbs 3:3; 4:4).
Origin of “Every Good Gift and Every Perfect Gift”
Where do your gifts and everything good in your originate from? Are the gifts in your life your doing or God’s?
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17
In light of the truth that “every good and every perfect gift” is from God, why then do you boast?
“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7
Are you using your money, your looks, or gifts of God to worship and to glorify Christ? What shall the Judge of your eternal soul say to you on that Great and Terrible Day when you stand before Him to give account of your life?
Jesus never said “Ye shall know them by their GIFTS” but rather “Ye shall know them by their FRUIT.” (Matthew 7:16, 20) Good fruit is only born out of an abiding, obedient relationship with Christ (John 15:1-16)
Do you tout you attributes, and use your wealth or looks to draw people to yourself? Or, are you dying to self, laying aside yourself, denying yourself, and pointing people – eternal souls – to the only One who made and bled to redeem them?
Never exalt self, only Christ and others.
“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” Proverbs 27:2
Dare you vaunt yourself against the Most High with your vain elevations of your sinful self?
Get down low disciple of Jesus! Take on the form of a humble servant. Today, find Bible verses on this essential topic and memorize them. Refuse any title except “servant” or “disciple” saved by the mercy of God!
“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:12 (memory verse)
Jesus teaches us not to use titles, coupling it with pride.
“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12
“Altogether Vanity!”
“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:4-5
The root of all Christ-denying self-idolatry is refusal to truly repent and put all trust in Christ alone. The fruit of such rebellious refusal is self-exaltation. In his book The Great Falling Away, the late Milton Green captures such a phenomenon:
“We come to the light when our ambition is to please God more than anything or anyone else …. Men who attempt to come to Jesus and still love the flesh nature will still have selfish ambition. They will try to have the biggest church, the largest and best choir, the greatest numbers, and the best reputation for building a church. (All done for God, of course!) Instead of obedience to the Word of God and holiness, their goal is ‘nickles, noses, and numbers’ to fulfill their selfish ambition. They say, ‘Come see mychurch!’ … If a person has a root of pride, his motive will be to build an image for himself. As he builds a name for Jesus in the strength and works of the flesh, he will deceitfully take part of the glory which belongs to Jesus to fulfill his love for pride and reputation. He will show partiality and will exploit all his relationships in order to control others and advance his selfish ambition. He will flatter and deceive others in order to look good and receive the approval of man. Pride always wants to be the center of attention. Pride receives glory from men. Pride is always concerned with its own image. Pride always has to be right. Pride loves the approval of men more than the approval of God. Pride will welcome thoughts and suggestions from Satan to exploit and use people to build one’s self image. … Every man in the world walks in the image and likeness of Satan. He does not love nor honor God; neither does he love his neighbor. Each one in the world lives of himself. The strong deceive, manipulate and lord it over the weak. Everyone greedily gathers and hoards for himself, while all around him his neighbor hurts and suffers in need. ‘The whole world lieth in wickedness.’ (1 John 5:19) Their hearts agree with Satan.” Milton Green, The Great Falling Away Today, p. 17, 28, 31
Are you learning to crucify the deeds of your sinful nature? Read Romans 6 every day for the next week prayerfully. If you think somehow that you have a good pastor or favorite Bible teacher and yet, that person isn’t calling you to Christ, that is, to die to self so that Jesus alone can be glorified, you are sitting under a false teacher who is an enemy of the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18-21).
Memorize Ephesians 4:3, 32 and Psalms 133:1.
LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: Are you tired of reading Scripture or hearing a good message from the Word and not retaining it for yourself and to help others? We can help you. This message was sent out to each person who is on the Moments For My Master e-mail devotional list. In supplementation to your personal daily study of God’s Word, we would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:6, 16; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2). Sign up here.
Titles and Trappings | Self-Appointed Title Touters
Apostasy
The Goal of the Ungodly Eternal Security Teachers [podcast]
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4
“This is AWESOME! You got all over it. It really flowed. Excellent! In the delivery, your excitement and passion for this subject are unmistakable. How can ANYONE listen to this and not want to check out the Word of God for themselves?” Debbie L.
“Thy prophets (false leaders) have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered (exposed) thine iniquity (have not uncovered your sin), to turn away thy captivity (to get you set free from it); but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment (ultimate termination into hell).” Lamentations 2:14
COUNTERFEITS who hide behind their OSAS fairy tale HATE this biblical reality and are willing to call the LORD a liar in order to retain this heresy – “And he that overcometh, and KEEPETH my works UNTO THE END, to him will I give power over the nations:” (Revelation 2:26)
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Articles
Parenting and the Eternal Destiny of Your Child [podcast]
There’s no such thing as a Christian who is a parent and isn’t teaching their child(ren) God’s Word.
So you programmed and indoctrinated your own child to “go get an education” from a commie university, with nothing but antichrist’s as “professors”, who merely read and teach marxist textbooks full of every evil known to mankind. And yet you still wonder why they turned from Christ? – if you even taught them the Bible in the first place. Time for you to get saved. God holds you personally accountable for allowing and inviting evil upon the minds and hearts of the child(ren) He gave you temporary stewardship over. Judgment Day is on the way. Time to repent – before it’s too late.
Are you teaching your children God’s Word? (Proverbs 22:6)
Are you teaching your child to study God’s Word and get a biblical education? (2 Timothy 2:15)
The LORD didn’t say to “go to church” or make yourself or your children good church members. No. Repent, put your whole faith in Christ for salvation – then deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Jesus everyday to the end of your life. | Church Membership Exposed
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
No such thing as a Christian who doesn’t teach their own children God’s Word. No such thing. Anyone who claims to be a Christian and isn’t teaching their children the Word of God is an absolute fraud, 100% (Titus 1:16). Oh and teach them using the King James Bible – never mind your lame groundless excuses. That’s the whole problem (John 3:19-21).
Few things infuriate and evoke such indignation as this evil going on under the sun – and it’s going on in the lives of those who falsely claim to be saved. If such weren’t so pitiful, it’d be laughable.
Beloved of God, your child needs to see you worship and obey God… read His Word, pray, and minister to others – to serve God by serving others. Let them see Christ alive and working in you or you will simply produce another self-righteous religious pharisee. They will never forget how you served God with a pure heart and joy-filled spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
God didn’t give you those children so you could exploit, use them to think you are so amazing. No, sinner, He commanded you to teach them His Word every day of their life, and train them up in His holy ways. If you didn’t/aren’t, that’s clear proof you are a hell bound unsaved counterfeit and wouldn’t know Jesus if He stood in your face.
“And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 11:19
Read Deuteronoamy chapters 4, 6, 11.
“Ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law”
“And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 32:46
Read that again and notice that we are to set our hearts upon the words of God and command our children also to observe them.
“If you don’t train your child at a young age how they should act and live, then Satan will. Make no mistake about that! You will be judged and held accountable at the judgement seat of Christ. Proverbs 22:6 in the King James Bible.” Charles Pray
Those who do not attach pain, punishment with wrong doing, will reap wicked children and give account to God for not teaching them to obey authority. Repent now and train up your children in the right ways of the LORD.
ARE YOU training, correcting, guiding your children?
“Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” Proverbs 29:17
Being a “good” parent doesn’t mean you are a God-fearing, a godly parent. In reality, you are not a good parent if you are not training your child(ren) up in the pure Word of God. You prove to be a lost soul if such is the case. Repent now sinner. The Almighty will bring you into full account for how you’ve brought up HIS children.
Parenting and Eternal Life are Connected
“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” Proverbs 23:13-14
Unless our children learn to submit to and obey our authority, they will very likely never submit to the authority of their Maker before whom they shall stand in judgment.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18
Obey God and do not trust your own wicked heart: If you are not obeying God it’s because you do not fear Him and are in utter need of truly repenting now – before it’s too late.
Is your child born again and walking with Jesus?
Obey God’s Word concerning your children and crucify your own feelings:
“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26
Chasten your child(ren) now – before it’s too late.
“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” Proverbs 19:18
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Proverbs 29:15
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
Some of the things children are to be taught be their parents in training them up in the right ways of the LORD …
- Read and memorize God’s Word (Proverbs 4:4; Revelation 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-16; Colossians 3:16, etc.).
- Know the books of the Bible – Genesis to Revelation.
- That they are sinners. Give them the law, the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20: Romans 3).
- To know the 10 Commandments by memory (Exodus 20). This is a basic structure of what the LORD requires and what He calls sin.
- God requires that they obey – Him and their parents (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).
- How to be saved (Romans road; 3:10, 23; 6:23; 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
- To love God and their neighbor – Golden Rule Living (Matthew 7:12).
- If you cant say something good, don’t say anything at all (Proverbs 17:27-28; James 3).
- Honor authority. Children learn this as they are taught to honor and obey their parents.
- To walk in utter integrity and honesty (Proverbs 20:7; Luke 8:15).
- To always be serving God and others ABS (Matthew 23:11; Acts 20:35)
- To help the poor (Proverbs 19:17; Galatians 2:10; James 1:27, etc.).
- To trust God no matter what the circumstances look like (Mark 10:27).
- To pray (Matthew 6:6-13, etc.).
- The beatitudes of Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
- Eternal perspective (Proverbs 23:14; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Romans 8:18; 1 Corinthians 2:9; John 14:1-6).
- To praise the LORD with great joy. To praise and worship and sing to the LORD (Psalms 149; 150; Hebrews 13:15).
- To give thanksgiving to the LORD for everything they already have and what’s to come (Ephesians 5:20; Hebrews 13:5).
- That the joy of the LORD is their strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
- Teach them to read (Revelation 1:3).
- Teach them consistency – to finish what they start, to endure to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.).
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Articles
“The Cross”
Excerpt from the book I Die Daily
“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.” Galatians 6:14
“The cross” is all about relationship. “The blood of His cross” purchased us back to God from sin (Acts 20:28; Col. 1:20). Paul here says in essence that His love for the Savior, who bled for his sins, warranted his full allegiance to Him and crucifixion with Him. Nothing was more important to this servant apostle than knowing Christ and remaining in Him (1 Cor. 9:27; Phil. 3:7-10). All else was counted as “dung” compared to the supreme and surpassing importance of his relationship with Jesus Christ. This is the “mark” the apostle pressed “toward” with all of his being (Phil. 3:7-14). Paul knew the eternal danger of not keeping under the sins of his body and in the end becoming a “castaway.” (1 Cor. 9:27) He was fully aware of the five specific sins that kept God’s own people out of their promised land, and would keep him out of the promised land of Heaven if he allowed his sinful nature, which was at “enmity against God,” to rule in his life, bringing defilement in the eyes of a holy God (Mk. 7:20-23; Rom. 8:7; 1 Cor. 9:27-10:12; Heb. 12:14-16). God’s stated will is to bring people “out from” spiritual death and “in” to the place of His divine life, that He might preserve them alive (with His life—Deut. 6:23-24; Rom. 8:1-13).
The purpose and point of “the cross” is not that God is trying to deprive anyone of something valuable, but rather that He seeks relationship with that person—“for our good always.” (Deut. 6:23-24) It is by the blood of Christ’s cross that we are saved, and “through faith” in Him that we are “kept.” (1 Pet. 1:5) Those in Him must “endure to the end.” (Matt. 10:22; 24:13)
It is “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” (Rom. 2:4) From the beginning, He made us for relationship with Him (Exod. 25:8). This is why Jesus came to the earth—“And this is life eternal (the reason for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
Since the LORD is holy, and the self-life or nature is sinful and at enmity with Him, it must be put to death because He who is “Holy, holy, holy” will not commune with a sinful vessel (Isa. 6:3; 59:2; 2 Cor. 6:14 -7:1; 1 Jn. 1:3-9; Rev. 4:8). Sin breaks that fellowship (Rom. 6:23). Like it or not, “the wages of sin is” still spiritual “death” and always will be, due to God’s eternal and unchangeable nature of holiness. The cross of Christ is the answer.
Holiness or pureness of heart and thought is of supreme importance in the eyes of the Almighty. His eyes are upon our hearts and the thoughts that we are dwelling upon (1 Sam. 16:7; Ps. 51:10; 139:23-24; Prov. 15:3; Matt. 5:8; Acts 15:9). The cross, which must be daily applied to the inner life by the disciple, is the implement of death to the sinfully self-loving, self-driven, self-willed, and self -consumed life. The fervent worship of Jesus, which always leads one to the application of the cross, brings the glorious liberty that only Christ can grant—to be fully filled, led, and made free by the Holy Ghost of God.
One manifests his love in relationship with the LORD when he chooses to obey Him in denying the iniquitous deeds of the sinful nature, in order that he might commune with and serve the Father and Savior, who died on the cross to reconcile him to the One who is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isa. 6:3; 1 John 1:3-10; Rev. 4:8) Otherwise, sin will prevent his relationship with the LORD. Sin must be confessed to be cleansed (1 John 1:9). Saving faith will always drive one to obey Christ, which includes the premium He places on His people being “pure in heart.” (Matt. 5:8; 1 John 2:3-5; James 1:22) Christ told us that only the “pure in heart” will be blessed.” (Matt. 5:8) If one who has been saved goes back and ceases to obey Christ, it’s because he no longer loves Christ supremely, nor does he now possess saving faith (1 Tim. 5:12; 2 Tim. 4:10; James 2; 2 Pet. 2:20-21).
If a person does not want more of Jesus, he is not a part of the remnant of Christ’s elect (Rev. 17:14). If a person is always looking to circumvent the “daily” cross, and looking for doctrinal ways to justify not giving over his whole will and being to Christ, he is willingly lost (Rom. 12:1). Those who are truly His “depart from iniquity,” as they daily “present” their “bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.” (Rom. 12:1; 2 Tim. 2:19)
If one will guard his heart and be preserved to the end in his relationship with Christ, he must beware of the numerous cross-less and Calvinistic wolves who occupy positions of leadership and influence in the modern church world. Millions have already been deceived and will be shocked on Judgment Day (Matt. 7:15-23; Luke 13:27-28).
The LORD bless you richly today, and fill you with His Holy Ghost afresh to subdue your own self-life, that Jesus’ life might be manifested in your life (2 Cor. 4:10-12). God is able as we do things His way. His grace is fully sufficient for us (Rom. 6:14; 1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 12:9-10).
In God’s economy, holiness in His people is a must, and it’s the blood of Christ that enables the recipient and possessor of His salvation to experience overcoming victory through the cross (Rom. 6; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 21:8, 27). His enabling grace was made possible through Christ’s redemption, and there is therefore no excuse for living in sin (Rom. 6). There can be no variance from such biblical truth in true Christian preaching. Sin separates and hell awaits all who die in sin—no matter what their previous relationship with God may have been (Rev. 21:8, 27; 22:11, 15). Relationship with Christ, personal holiness, the cross, overcoming sin, and repentance, go hand in hand; and today, none of these essentials can be found prevalent in the mouths of most so-called “Christian” pastors, writers, and leaders (Isa. 9:16; 1 Cor. 1:18; Phil. 3:18-19). By “the blood of his cross,” Christ made us holy in our position with God, and He commands each of us to take up our own cross and count ourselves crucified with Him in our daily lives, that His holiness might be manifest experientially in our lives (Rom. 6; 2 Cor. 4:10-11; Gal. 2:20).
David Kupelian, vice president and managing editor of WorldNetDaily.com, writes:
“‘I die daily’
In ages past, Christians dwelt a lot more on the concept of taking up the ‘cross’ than they do these days. Today, the phrase ‘it’s my cross to bear’ is usually a somewhat self-congratulatory reference to the fact that we have to put up with a vexing medical condition, or a child in trouble with the law, or perhaps an overbearing, live-in mother-in law.
Admonitions from the pulpit may not shed much more light. Oh sure, a well-intentioned minister will reverently read one of the scriptures cited above on ‘taking up the cross,’ and he might even briefly plug the ideal of self-denial. But too often this amounts to a polite nod to a notion that seems both archaic and almost irrelevant, or at least unattainable, and the pastor just moves on to more pleasant topics—like how grateful we are that we’re saved by Christ’s death and resurrection.
It wasn’t always so. Throughout past centuries, Christian philosophers and mystics dwelt at length on the crucial, life-and-death need for repentance, resignation, ‘mortification,’ the ‘crucifixion’ of sin in man, and the ‘death of the carnal man’ or of ‘the creaturely self’ and so on. The Apostle Paul said it most powerfully and succinctly when he wrote: ‘I die daily.’”
If they are not crucified on the cross we are instructed to “take up,” the deeds of the body will cause one to displease the LORD by the manifestation of the soul damning “works of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:19-21)
There is perhaps room to see Paul’s words “I die daily” both concerning our lives being laid down and subject to being martyred daily and also in dying daily to self that the Savior might reign (John 12:14; 2 Cor. 4:10-12). These two truths seem to dovetail together; Being dead to self is going to be essential to dying as a martyr.
The Two Cross Deaths
There are two kinds of dying seen in the Scriptures—positional and experiential.
Positional death speaks of our oneness with the death Christ experienced when He died on the cross, when he did “taste death for every man.” (Heb. 2:9) Positionally we are dead and buried with Him (Rom. 6:3-4).
Experiential death of the inner self-life = the willing crucifixion of the personal will out of a far surpassing love for and desire to see Christ reign supreme. When we love Him more than ourselves, we will die so He can live. Life can only spring out of death (Jn. 12:24). The problem is that most people who claim to be Christians love themselves more than Christ (2 Tim. 3:1-7). They have freely chosen to resist loving the LORD with all of their hearts, souls, minds, and strength (Matt. 22:37-40).
The Positional Cross
The word “baptized” is used in more than one way in the Bible. It is used to express both a literal and a figurative immersion. Immersion simply means being placed all the way into. In Romans 6, speaking figuratively of our baptism into Christ (not water), the apostle writes:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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.” Romans 6:3-4
We have been immersed (baptized) completely into Christ figuratively—“we are buried with him by baptism into death.”
Our justification and sanctification are wrapped up in being buried with Christ. We are then raised with Him and enabled to “walk in newness of life.” Our position—buried with and in Christ—enables the literally manifested life of Christ to be experienced in our daily lives.
We are united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. The phrase “in Christ,” seen throughout New Testament Scripture, is short for our immersion into Him—His death, burial, and resurrection and our own death, burial, and resurrection with Him. Jesus died and was raised up once, and we died and are raised up with Him in type/proxy.
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us (made us alive) together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:5-7
THE LORD has “raised up” those He has found and saved out of their sinful state and into His eternal kingdom. They are “raised up” to “sit together” with Him—“in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This He did for His eternal purposes. He “made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” so this is our positional standing with Him; yet His desire is that such a positional place become an experiential reality in our “daily” lives, as we “follow” Him. And how does such a translation happen? This manifested “newness of life” occurs as we lay down our self-will in full surrender to His Majesty, crying out “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) Victorious living in this “newness of life” happens when we follow His instructions to “deny” ourselves and “take up” the cross, and let His will and life reign in our mortal bodies in place of our own. This positional seating in Christ and with God in heavenly places becomes a reality in our daily experience as we sentence our lives to death, being rooted in Christ, as we “take root downward.” (Isa 37:31) He then raises us upward in “newness of life”—with His life to bear fruit to His pleasing.
Our positional place with Him means that we died with Him, and we are seated in heavenly places in Christ. Yet, we are still on earth and subject to temptations. This is why the experiential cross is so important.
The Experiential Cross
“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.” Romans 6:5-6
The believer, who is buried with Christ and raised in “newness of life,” is told that he “should not serve sin.” Serving sin or the Savior is always going to be a choice as long as we are on the earth.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14
Paul told us that he had to keep under the sinful desires/deeds of his body so that he would not become a “castaway” from Christ in the end (1 Cor. 9:27). What can we learn from this? Our relationship with Christ is both positional and practical. It began in our past when we were born again, and exists now daily as we deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him. This is our personal participation with Christ as we take up the yoke and walk with our Master—His blessed Gospel—dying, being buried and then raised up daily with Him.
In studying the subject of dying daily and Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily,” I have read a few commentaries which seemed to only acknowledge the positional death of the believer. This is because the misguided Calvinist wants no part of anything that might cost him the suffering of death to his own will. He wants to believe that God did it all, and subsequently ignores the commandments of the very same God for him to personally experience dying to self and self-will. The Calvinist is a moral coward who wants the crown without the cross, so he objects to and flees any notion of personal responsibility. In the face of a mountain of Scriptural commands and conditional blessings, he insists that there are no requirements placed upon him. If that were so, why were we then given the many commandments of Christ and His holy apostles? The diabolical dynamic of Calvinism is to escape and deny by any means possible, any teaching that calls for a personal cost. In contrast, the Bible teaches us that to lose is to gain (Matt. 10:3839; Jn. 12:24-26; Phil. 1:21). The spiritual coward wants to hide away in his false security zone, where he is protected from all that would cause him to suffer—the circumcising sword of the Word, persecutions, tribulations, dying to sin and self, purging, and the chastening of the LORD. This is why this theology always migrates to the line of least resistance to the flesh—no baptism in the Holy Spirit or lordship of Christ, due to the myth of ‘once saved always saved,’ and a pre-tribulation rapture. (Actually, although he holds no strong position on the exact timing of Christ’s return, this writer believes that there is the possibility of a pre-tribulation rapture. In the previous statement, I was just making a point.)
Some may despise the idea that people teach the Scripture “I die daily” as something that needs to be done by the individual recipient of salvation. The Calvinistically infected mindset believes that everything that needs to be done has already been done, and that man has no choice or accountability in the matter of participation. It’s true that Christ initiated and earned our salvation, and that without Him we are hopeless. It is also just as true that this same Jesus instructed those who would follow Him to be “daily” crucified with Him, by denying themselves and taking up their crosses. Romans 6 says “Our old man is crucified with him” (v 6), and yet it also says:
- “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” (v 1)—The question “Shall we” denotes volition, option, and choice.
- “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” (v 5)—The “if” here speaks of volition, option, and choice.
- “Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (v 11)
- “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” (v 12)
- “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.” (v 13)
- “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (v 16)
The honest student of the Bible, the one that refuses to allow himself to be infected with any predisposed notion, will see this.
The work of Christ to position us in heavenly places is a settled fact and truth (Eph. 2:6). As we are discovering from Holy Writ, the experiential cross of the individual must be taken up and died upon. Paul the apostle of Christ said, “I KEEP under my body.” (1 Cor. 9:27) The denial of the self-life and following Jesus is only accomplished by the enabling grace and Holy Spirit of the LORD, who is perfecting that which concerns us as He continues His good work in us—we who have been apprehended by Him for His purpose and glory (Ps. 138:8; Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13). This occurs as we “work out” our “salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil. 2:1213) It is “through the Spirit” that we are blessed and empowered to “mortify the deeds of the body.” (Rom. 8:13)
There are those who know only the positional application of the cross, where we “are dead” and buried with Christ, and raised up by the faith of the operation of
God, and seated together in heavenly places in Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:3). In spite of understanding that we are dead, buried, and raised up with Christ, men misunderstand or do not know about the doctrine of the daily cross—the keeping under or subduing of the sinful nature on a daily basis. The essential nature of such a biblical and vital truth is tragically seldom, if ever, spoken about in most “ministry” that transpires in the modern church world.
Love is a daily test.
Love is a daily choice.
That person who has a mere “form of godliness” and yet denies the power of Christ to reign in his life, will never experience the fellowship of His sufferings and the blessed “fruit” He desires to bring forth “upward” to His glory (Isa. 37:31; Rom. 8:11; 2 Tim. 3:5). Many seek to render rote adherence to the command of Christ while lacking the positional revelation of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Gospel. In contrast, the true disciple of Christ is that one who is driven by the greater desire and love that possesses his heart for Christ. His love for Jesus far surpasses his love for self and the pleasures of this world.
Throughout Holy Scripture, we are afforded the blessing of witnessing the joyful delight many had for the LORD. Here is a sampling:
“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” Psalms 73:25
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death … Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:10, 13-14
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4
The “one thing” that most deeply and profoundly moved these men and women was knowing Him more and more, seeking His face in earnest as they experienced Him daily.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 1 John 3:1
The love we are blessed to possess of Him, and the cross, go hand in hand. Because of His love in us, and our own decision to reciprocate that love, we make a daily choice to experience the cross. The daily cross is the application of death applied into our life and will in order that Christ’s will and life might be in control and reign in our mortal bodies (2 Cor. 4:10-12).
God made man with a choice (Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Gal. 6:7-9). Firstly, it makes no sense at all biblically speaking, to say that the person and volitional will of the individual believer plays no part in his decisions. That is a diabolical and Calvinistic heresy that has no biblical ground beneath it. Those in denial of the cross Jesus commanded us to “daily” take up, simply do not wish to deny self and sin as Christ commanded. Many of them have placed the teachings of mere men—who were heretics—above God’s Word. Instead of setting aside the “doctrines of men” for Christ’s teachings, they set the teachings of the Son of God aside for the teachings of mere men (like John Calvin). Like the Pharisees of Christ’s day, these men love their traditions more than the LORD and His Word (Mark 7:6-9). Every generation in history has its pseudo-theologians, who cast away the Word of God for their own traditions of mere men. Every day also has a remnant, which says, “Let God be true and every man a liar.” (Rom. 3:4)
Letting “God be true” in our personal lives includes silencing the call of the sinful nature, Satan, and the voices of the myriad of cross-denying wolves, who come in Christ’s name yet do not preach His original Gospel.
“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.” Luke 9:23
Throughout His teachings, the Son of God taught us that following Him was a “daily” experience and not a onetime event. He made it abundantly clear that this “daily” experience of His life was only possible in conjunction with the disciple’s self-denial, and his choosing to prefer the Savior above himself (Matt. 16:24-26; Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-26).
“Many admit the positional death (at initial salvation), but there is also a present salvation (progressive sanctification or transformation) that is experiential, the daily death, burial and resurrection. The Leviticus 1 burnt offering occurred daily. The first thing the invader always did at the Temple was to do away with the daily sacrifice. This will also be 1st order of business for the antichrist, and for those who possess the spirit of antichrist today.”
Christ told us that if we would follow Him, we must “daily” take up the cross and follow (Luke. 9:23-24). As one writer has pointed out here, the daily sacrifice is attacked by the invader and enemy of our souls, and this is seen in the absence of such preaching in that which calls itself the church today. The Bible tells us that “Satan” has his “ministers,” and these men are “deceitful workers” who have infiltrated the modern church and so-called higher learning institutions (seminaries, etc.). See 2 Cor. 11:12-15. These “false apostles,” who are imposters, have hi-jacked the pulpits and publishing houses of this last hour with a message that is void of the cross and is sending many to eternal darkness (2 Pet. 2:1-3). They can be identified as the “enemies of the cross of Christ,” who do not take up their own crosses daily, and therefore do not preach the cross as a daily implement of death to self and self denial (2 Cor. 11:12-15; Phil. 3:18-19). Instead, they “mind earthly things,” even using Scripture to justify their misplaced affections (Phil. 3:18-19).
The “adversary, the devil,” can “devour” us by drawing and seducing us out from our daily and experiential death and burial with Christ, where we are “hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) When the enemy is able to draw one out into the open, he is then vulnerable as a deer that comes out of the forest and is no longer hidden and protected by the camouflage of the trees. When a deer is out in the open and in a prairie clearing, he is then prey for predators. The lions can then see and smell him, and will seek to devour him.
Taking up the daily cross and experiencing knowing Him in “the fellowship of his sufferings” demonstrates our agreement with God that we are utterly depraved in our Adamic nature, and wholly in need of His righteousness and life to reign in our “mortal” bodies (Rom. 6; 2 Cor. 4:10-11; Phil. 3:10).
In this following passage, watch for the daily experiential cross to be practiced by every true disciple of Jesus:
“Always (daily) bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest (a reality) in our body. For we which live are alway (daily) delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-11
As we related earlier in this chapter, the removal of the “daily” cross is the work of our “adversary.” The same vulnerability (removal of the daily cross) exists today wherever the redeemed saint allows for the “daily” sacrifice to be stolen from his life. The daily presenting of ourselves to Him as “a living sacrifice” is our “reasonable service” in light of what He has done for us (Rom. 12:1).
Because He loves us as His own, Christ instructs those He saves to “daily” deny themselves and take up their crosses to follow Him (Luke. 9:23-24). It is only in being
“dead” to sin and self that our lives “are hid with Christ in God.”
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
“Precious Things” Stolen
“There is a conspiracy of her prophets (leaders)in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.” Ezekiel 22:25
Ezekiel the prophet of God is writing here concerning the leaders of the very nation of Israel. This “conspiracy” he speaks of is a reality and not a theory. We have the divine word on it here. The Bible tells us definitively here that “There is a conspiracy of her prophets” or leaders who claim to be representing the LORD. We are also informed here that these beguilers “have taken the treasure and precious things.” They have stolen away those things which are most important for believers to be aware of, believe, dwell upon, and do.
The enemy invader is now empowering his agents in the pulpits and those who hold the pens of modern publishing. This is seen in the deafening silence of the modern messages we hear. There is a gross lack of hearing the essential truths of Holy Writ spoken or written by men who have positions of influence. In fact, in fulfillment of last day’s prophecy, hoards of self-serving people (who claim to be Christians) are heaping these smooth and deceitful messages, and the messengers who give them, to themselves. Their un-crucified sinful nature seeks out ear-tickling messages that feed their sinful nature instead of beckoning them to crucify it (Rom. 6; 12:1).
In his messages, the beguiling leader feeds the sinful nature, while the leader who is a true servant of Christ calls for the denial of and death of it (Rom. 16:17-18; Phil. 3:1-3; 18-21; 2 Pet. 2:1-3).
Many who love the truth, and therefore deeply desire more of Christ, are coming out of the cross-less and apostate modern church system. Like Paul, their deep desire is “to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Phil. 3:10) They have seen the folly and the “famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” (Amos 8:11)
Where We Stand
In a passage often referred to as defining the true Gospel, the apostle Paul reveals that this “gospel” is that “wherein ye stand.”
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
As those found and regenerated by Him who first loved us, we “stand” in the Gospel of Christ—both positionally and experientially. In fact, the very next words speak to the essential responsibility of personal participation of the individual recipient of His “so great salvation.” (Heb. 2:3)
“By which also ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:2
The “if” here clearly denotes condition. Our salvation is contingent upon “if” we “keep in memory” the original “gospel” the apostle Paul preached, “unless ye have believed in vain.” Our initial salvation becomes ineffectual if we do not “continue” in Christ or “endure to the end.” (Matt. 10:22; Col. 1:23; Heb. 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; 2 Pet. 2:20-21)
Daily experiencing death to self and the raised up life of Christ, is essential to keeping in memory the work of Christ, the coming King.
See if you can identify both the positional and the experiential standing of the believer in this Colossians 3 passage:
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3
He has accomplished salvation for us and we are thereby “risen with Christ,” positionally. In light of this, we should then follow suit in seeking “those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” This includes setting our “affection(s) on things above, not on things on the earth.” Positionally, we are to count ourselves “dead,” and consider that our lives are “hid with Christ in God.”
Some erroneously teach that the believer’s positional place with Christ is irreversible, but the Bible tells us differently in a myriad of places. Only when we keep our place or position “with Christ” are we “hid with Christ in God.” Otherwise we are not hidden away from the wrath of God and the enemy. Such a place of being “hid with Christ in God” is conditional upon the recipient of His salvation remaining in Him. One’s place with God is reversible if one does not “abide” or remain “in Christ.” Jesus told us that “If a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (Jn. 15:6) Our LORD also told us that there are those “which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” (Luke. 8:13) It should be more than obvious that someone could not possibly “fall away” from something he has not previously possessed. Also, the basic fact that Jesus invented the term “fall away” plainly reveals that such is possible.
That positional standing He purchased for us is ours only as we remain “with Christ,” and “if” a redeemed person chooses to cease following Christ, he is no longer “in Christ” or “with Christ,” and is therefore no longer the recipient of any of His blessings. The Father told us on several occasions that it is only in His only begotten Son that He is “well pleased,” so anyone presently outside of Him is not pleasing to God (Matt. 3:17).
The sacrifice of Christ is a fixed reality. He is invariable and unchanging (Mal. 3:6; Jn. 19:30; James 1:17). But the experiencing of the cross of Christ in the daily life of the recipient of His salvation is volitional. One must count all else “dung” compared to knowing Christ, and in order to “know him,” one must be willing to experience “the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Phil. 3:7-10).
All of Holy Scripture testifies to the truth that God’s blessings to individuals are conditional (Deut. 11:26-28; 28:1-67; 30:19-20). The fulfillment of His promises and blessings are contingent upon the obedience of the individual (Gal. 6:7-9; Heb. 6:11-12). The recipient of His free gift of eternal life must by faith “abide” or remain in Him, or he will be “cut off.” (Ezek. 33:12-13; Matt.
10:22; Luke 8:13; Rom. 11:19-22; 1 Cor. 15:2; Col. 1:23; Heb. 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; 2 Jn. 9; Rev. 2-3) This important subject is covered extensively in the book titled Lie of the Ages, which can be ordered on this site.
“Many of His Disciples Went Back”
In the record of John 6, we read of “disciples” who continued not with Christ after He taught them. They chose not to partake in His death and life. They did not want to suffer for His sake, and therefore “many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” John 6:66
These people forfeited their place with Christ and all the associated benefits, both here and eternally (Ezek. 33:12 -13). Suffering is part of following Christ, and those who “draw back,” not esteeming Christ and being unwilling to suffer for His sake, will lose out (Rom. 8:17; Phil. 1:29; Heb. 10:38-39; 1 Pet. 4:1-14; Rev. 2-3).
According to God’s Word, those who refuse to follow up in their daily lives with experiential living with Christ, partaking of His blessed sufferings and the associated benefits, will lose out on their positional place they once had with Him (2 Pet. 2:20-21). Those who after being bought by His blood, “deny him,” will also be denied by Him for having “trodden under foot the Son of God.” (2 Tim. 2:12; Heb. 10:29)
One will not experience His resurrection life if he refuses to experience a dying with Him—to self, sin, Satan, and this world.
Many today are seeking to gain, but they are trying to go around the cross. These people do not yet realize that it’s only in dying to self that God’s “gain” will come to them. It’s only in dying that they can live by the resurrecting power of God in Christ, who is “the resurrection and the life.” (Jn. 11:25) He promised to raise up by the power of His Holy Spirit those that be bowed down in death to self and sin (Ps. 145:15; Rom. 8:11). The LORD promises to raise upward in fruitfulness those that “take root downward.” (Isa. 37:31)
The cross is the place of safety—being in the center of God’s will. We are safe on the cross, buried, sunk down, and hidden in Christ while being “raised up” by His power and to His glory (Rom. 6:3-4; 8:11; Col. 2:11-12; 3:3). Beware of the wiles of Satan, who seeks to lure us off the cross where we are “hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) The enemy’s design is to keep you ignorant of the necessity of the cross—to keep you from experiencing Christ’s resurrection power. When you do choose to learn of Christ to get on the cross, the enemy’s scheme will be to get you to come down from that cross—to keep you from dying that Christ’s life might reign in you and over the enemy (Luke 10:18). Is this not what he did to our LORD? (Matt. 27:42)
The only way to have upward mobility—divine resurrection power—is to plant yourself deep into the death of Christ. The further down one descends, the more powerful the raising up will be (2 Cor. 4:10-12).
Jesus told us that we must lose our lives to gain His life and eternal life.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” John 12:24-25
PRAYER: Father, not my will but Thine be done. You must increase and I must decrease. I now this moment, choose to lay my life down—to die to self and all of its fleshly facets. I honor You, LORD Jesus and Father, and joyfully bow in humility before Your Majesty. Grant Your enabling grace to my life, so I might please You in all things. I am crucified with Christ. I am dead, and my life is hid with Christ in God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Capture Points
- Discuss John 12:24-26 and what it means to “fall into the ground and die,” as pertains to Christ and also all of those who would follow Him.
- According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, what is “the gospel” that we stand in defined as? (KJV recommended)
- What did Jesus tell us was the purpose for which He came? John 17:3
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Supplying Saints and Sinners with Heavenly Sustenance
LIE OF THE AGES: From the Garden to Glory [podcast]
“They that were Scattered Abroad went every where Preaching the Word” [podcast]
“THAT REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED” [podcast]
Mission Mexico Part 29
“Ye Know not what Manner of spirit ye are of” [podcast]
The Chosen are being Called and Prepared to “Go” [podcast]
“A Just Weight is His Delight” and Gouging is Sin
Delighting in the LORD [podcast]
Sending the Divine Light into “The Prison House” [podcast]
“Evolution is a Fairy Tale for Grownups” … “The Greatest Hoax Ever
NLT New Living Translation EXPOSED
The Purpose of Elders in Christ’s Body [podcast]
Godly Integrity [podcast]
Parenting and the Eternal Destiny of Your Child [podcast]
LIE OF THE AGES: From the Garden to Glory [podcast]
The Goal of the Ungodly Eternal Security Teachers [podcast]
“THAT REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED” [podcast]
“The Cross”
Supplying Saints and Sinners with Heavenly Sustenance
Run that Ye May Obtain [podcast]
Weeping Men Win Men [podcast]
Mexico Mission Update Part 28
The Goal of the Ungodly Eternal Security Teachers [podcast]
Parenting and the Eternal Destiny of Your Child [podcast]
“The Cross”
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America9 months agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
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Articles2 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
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Articles8 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
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Apostasy2 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
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