sgys banner books

The Cross is a Surrender not a Struggle

The King James Dictionary says the following of surrender:

“Yielded or delivered to the power of another; given up. Love that definition. Isn’t that exactly what we do? We give ourselves over to God. A complete giving up. Handing your life to the Lord and letting Him have total control.

“There is freedom in that!! Since doing this in my own life, anxiety and stress is gone. That only comes because we are putting ourselves in place of God. We are letting go and letting God!” Karen Cochran

Seems apparent that the struggle comes with living in the flesh, from resisting the surrender. In contrast, “the peace of God which passeth all understanding” comes from walking in the Spirit with Christ (Psalms 119:165; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 4:7).

On the cross….

“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” Luke 27:46

Then what happened?

“He is not here: for HE IS RISEN, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD …” Matthew 28:6-7.

Just as Jesus died and was then resurrected, so can it be for thee, so is the will of God for you.

Notice after He died on the cross for the sins of the world, Jesus was “risen from the dead.” Could the Son of God have been “risen from the dead” if He were not first dead and buried? No.

The same is true for us – as God will never raise up anyone who is still alive under their own power, self-will. No, He only resurrects those who surrender their lives to Him, die and are buried.

One disciple observed:

“Holiness comes by way of the cross, not by way of the flesh. Just as sin was conquered by the cross of Christ, so sin in the life of the saint is conquered by the daily cross (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). It’s time to stop trying harder and to simply die deeper.”

The cross is the key to walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh – where you surrender downward, at His holy feet – the death and burial of your life, your will, your agenda. Then, God reciprocally raises you upward, filling and propelling you with His Holy Ghost!

“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38

In the Garden of Gethsemane, the place of the cross before the cross, Jesus surrendered His personal will afresh to the Father. He gave His will over to the will of the Father. He knew the absolute trust and integrity between the two, who are one.

“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:41-42

The cross is a letting go and letting God right? Then there’s liberty, freedom and not before (John 8:31-32, 36; 2 Corinthians 3:17, etc.).

Who is “FREE”? Who is free, set free from sin and to serve and worship God? Ready for God’s answer?

“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7 (memorize)

The rebellion, the stubbornness, the witchcraft is what brings the struggle, the toil, the turmoil (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Then when we surrender, the blessing comes!!

“Amazing you would have a podcast with this title. I just thought this morning that ‘this cross life is not a struggle!’ When the Lord is in charge He shows me exactly how I am still not like Him. Once I see it, it is up to me to take it to the cross of Christ to be crucified. It’s mind boggling that many modern day professing Christians fight so hard to walk in their flesh. They love self more than Jesus. Once you get a taste of the Spirit of God controlling your life, you want more! More of Him, less of me! John 3:30. I will listen to this podcast. Thank you.” Karen Cochran

How to Get Free and Stay Free!

Are you willing today, to truly trust God – to say to Him, “Father, not my will but Thine be done. I am all Yours, from this moment forward”?

Death and burial alone lead to freedom. When Jesus rose from the dead, He was free forever again with the Father.

You will never be free until you die (Galatians 2:20).

“For he that is DEAD is FREED from sin.” Romans 6:7

“The cross is freedom from our wicked selves. Hallelujah.” Karen Cochran

Reading Romans 6 daily is vital – the cross. King James Bible. See also, memorize, meditate upon Colossians 3:3; Galatians 2:20.

After Jesus saves you, He requires that you continue in His Word, His truth – learning and living it! If not, you will not continue with Him and will “fall away.” (Luke 8:13) It’s impossible to be holy as He is holy if one doesn’t continue in His truth. And since God is “Holy, holy, holy” He cannot dwell with anyone living in sin (Psalms 5:4; Habakkuk 1:13; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8)

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-32, 36

Just as He raised Jesus from the dead by His Holy Spirit, God divinely guarantees to raise you upward if you will go downward in surrender. Do you trust Him?

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:11-14

You’ve tried doing it your way, in the flesh. Has that ever worked out well? No. That never works, right? Right. Now, are we willing to sincerely pray, to say “Dear LORD, I come to You in Jesus’ name, asking You to forgive my rebellion, for trying to do things my way instead of Your way. This moment, I turn afresh and fully to You, asking You to anoint me with Thy Holy Spirit to the death and burial of self. I am dead and buried with Christ my LORD, and I trust You fully to raise me up for Your glory – to be fruitful for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

It’s by the Holy Spirit, not the Flesh

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

“Through the Spirit” – and so it’s not a work of the flesh but rather a surrender to the Savior, the Greater One – Jesus Christ, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8)!

“It is a marvelous, complete release from the weight and burden of the flesh, a surrender to Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit inside, and not a challenge to change our behavior by trying to be better people on the outside through the working of the flesh.

In other words, we don’t need to focus on trying to change the multitude of things that are not right in our lives, rather there’s only ONE FOCUS, and that is surrendering to JESUS! It is His to be the Great Shepherd of the sheep (us) and He WILL do it — as long as we stay surrendered! Not my will but Thine be done.” Debbie Lord

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye TROUGH THE SPIRIT do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13

Selah.

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

Walking with Jesus is not a work of the flesh but rather an abiding walk in the Spirit with Him.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

YOUR PRAYER: Father I come to You now in fresh repentance. I re-turn to Thee. Please wash me clean from all rebellion, all self-idolatry, pride, and rebellion. Please cleanse me with the precious blood of Jesus Christ my LORD and Savior. Please anoint this life to be dead, buried, and raised up for Your eternal glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | Light of the World | Evangelism | Jesus, Light of the WordCompassion in Light of Christ’s Soon ReturnStriving Together for the Faith of the Gospel [podcast] | Prepared to be Used of God | The Return of Christ

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

Abiding

The Weapons of Our Warfare [podcast]


Fighting Vertically (seeking His face continually) Guarantees that God will take care of the Horizontal

Your ground game will never work until you push praise to the One who made and saved you. Today is your day to train upward. The outward will follow. Verticaly praise to our LORD guarantees horizonal victory. The cross.

“Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalms 149:5-9 

Dealing a crushing blow to your enemies – sin and Satan – requires kisses blown to Jesus Christ, the “first love” of your life! (Revelation 2:4-5) Like David, it will be the worshippers who will be God’s warriors!

“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” Psalms 2:12

Seeking the face of the LORD is to be “continually.” The victory Jesus died to procure for you, to bless you to walk in, will evade all who do not “seek his face continually.”

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11 

The only way to get up swinging, get up winning, is to set your heart to seek the face of your Savior! Simple prescription. Do it. Your plan is set in stone. You arise each morning with joyful praise, hands and heart and tongue pointed, aimed at Heaven, lifting the name of Jesus Christ!

Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.” 1 Chronicles 16:22

The only ones the LORD is going to powerfully use to “build” His kingdom in the hearts of men, are those who “set” their soul to seek His holy face.

Is your obedience being fulfilled? Are you filled with love and therefore obedience to the Savior?

The “weapons of our warfare” are:

  • The Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
  • Prayer and persistence in prayer (Luke 18:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
  • The name of Jesus (Acts 14:13-14; 16:23-24; Acts 3:16, etc.).

OUR GREATEST WEAPON IS THE WRITTEN WORD, PRAYER, AND THE NAME OF JESUS SAINTS. FRET NOT.

In the wilderness Jesus defeated the enemy by speaking forth the Word (Luke 4). He pulled out specific ammo for the enemy to address specific attacks, On all points, against every weapon of the enemy, Jesus had ammo with the devil’s evil name on it. And in doing so, He gave us the knowledge and example of how the enemy is defeated in our own lives. The Word of God is “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” and is “sharper than any twoedged sword” (2 Corinthians 10:4; Hebrews 4:12).

Studying, knowing the Word of God is like building the military, the arsenal of your life, in order to defeat the enemy. Without a strong arsenal of weapons and ammo, and the expert ability to use those weapons, you will be naked in the battle and lose. God’s Word is your arsenal – that which you have in you – the knowledge and performance thereof. Nothing is more important to your life today than seeking God in His Word and prayer. Jesus is Heaven’s Mighty Warrior, He is “a man of war” and is coming back “in flaming fire…” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 19:11-16, etc.).

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

We are in a war and must fight to win! “FIGHT the good fight….”

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 

Jesus demonstrated exactly what “the weapons of our warfare” are when He faced Satan in the wilderness. That weapon is the Word of God.

David, who was first a worshipper, was also an expert warrior. His life is a great example to the New Testament saint. David was learning to walk with the LORD, faithfully seeking Him in the pasture as he tended to sheep. He was building up his arsenal. And because he truly knew and sought the LORD, having been diligently training for warfare, the LORD, who is “a man of war,” directed him in choosing the specific ammo from His arsenal to take out Goliath (Exodus 15:3).

The “good soldier of Jesus Christ” is entrenched in the business of war, of winning the war. His Master, Jesus Christ, has never lost – and never will. Yet that blessing is reserved exclusively to those of His saints, His holy soldiers, who “strive lawfully.”

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:3-5 

Striving “lawfully” simply means striving or working God’s way, according to His instructions and wishes, and not your own. Such includes to:

  • “endure hardness.”
  • realize you are a “soldier” which means you are in a war.
  • not be entangled with this world.
  • seek to please the LORD, who is “a man of war” and has chosen you to be His “soldier,” waging His war.

The LORD has and is bringing His true disciples to the understanding that this truly is a WAR, a fight to the death. You must “FIGHT the good fight of faith” or you will be a needless casualty of war! (1 Timothy 6:12) And so a military, a militant stance, posture, must be assumed by the disciple who will endure to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:10-14, etc.).

 

Spiritual Warfare | Fake Bibles Exposed

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry UpdatesBecause You Care Page | Bible/Word of GodThe Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Grace and Truth Bible School [modules] | 7 Study Guides to a Greater Foundation in Christ | Knowing God | The Cross Life | Christology = the Study of Christ

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Continue Reading

Abiding

A Fresh Look at Jesus’ 7 Letters to the Churches [podcast]


Did Jesus tell even one of the seven churches He addressed that they are as sure for Heaven as if they were already there due to being initially saved by Him?

Did Jesus give conditions for being with Him in eternal glory?

Can someone please help me figure out where un-conditional eternal security/OSAS fits in with the 7 letters of Jesus to the churches of Asia? Is it anywhere mentioned? No.

Can anyone find OSAS/eternal security in Jesus’ 7 letters to CHURCHES in Revelation 2 and 3? No. No such thing. Instead He gives conditions to overcome, to endure to the end, to abide, remain, and continue in Christ, in faith and obedience.

No such thing as “eternal security” in Christ’s kingdom until AFTER you are in Heaven. Such heresy is the bait of Satan as it was in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:17 > 3:4). Only moral cowards who make excuse for sin instead of being crucified with Christ daily as Jesus commanded. Bite on this bait (Luke 9:23-25). Eternal hell awaits. Time to repent and get “honest” (Luke 8:15).

Satan’s First Doctrine is a Lie. Yet Many Claim it’s Part of the Gospel of Jesus. Beware of these Wolves.

No such thing as a born again AND presently abiding saint who is not fruitful, who is not bearing good fruit. Otherwise why did Jesus instruct His people to know themselves and others “by their fruit”? See Matthew 7:16, 19. Such a notion as is heretical. Anyone who Jesus saves and then they don’t endure to the end, they don’t continue abiding in Christ, is no longer the LORD’s and going to hell. Read John 15:1-6 and stop believing the Devil’s very first lie—OSAS (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).

“If a man abide (continue, 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.” John 15:6

WHEN YOU ARE IN YOUR MIND beginning to make excuse for sin, you KNOW it’s your un-crucified flesh and Satan that are in control. You know then that repentance, re-turning to the LORD who is Holy, is necessary.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

When you are tempted to believe in the satanic heresy of “eternal security,” otherwise known as “once saved always saved (OSAS),” you know SATAN is seeking to seduce you (Genesis 2:17; 3:14).

Concerning these 7 letters of Jesus to the churches, one source notes the following:

“Revelation chapters 2 and 3 contain seven individual messages from Jesus Christ to seven historical churches in Asia Minor. The letters share a common pattern: an address to the church’s angel, a description of Christ, an evaluation of the church’s spiritual state, a call to repentance or perseverance, and a promise to those who overcome.”

Overview of the Letters

  • Ephesus, Pergamum, Sardis, and Laodicea receive direct rebukes for forsaking their first love, tolerating false teachings, dead orthodoxy, or lukewarmness, alongside urgent calls to repent.
  • Smyrna and Philadelphia face intense tribulation or persecution yet receive no rebuke, and are encouraged to hold fast to their faith. 
  • Promises to Overcomers: Each letter concludes with eternal assurances for “him that overcometh” such as the tree of life (Revelation 2:7), the crown of life (Revelation 2:10), and exemption from the second death (Revelation 2:11).

    The Notion of Eternal Security Expelled

    Some interpret the repeated conditional commands to “overcome” and “hold fast” as evidence that eternal salvation requires ongoing faithfulness and endurance to the end, suggesting that warnings against unrepentance involve real spiritual risk rather than unconditional security.”

    For Example, Jesus’ letter to the church at Sardis:

    “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
    2  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
    3  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
    4  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
    5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
    6  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:1-6

    Also:

    “… confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

    “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved …. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22; 24:13

    Concerning Jesus’ 7 Letters and OSAS, once commentator notes:

    “The seven letters of Jesus in Revelation 2-3 challenge absolute eternal security (“once saved, always saved”) by repeatedly commanding repentance, warning believers that unfaithfulness carries severe consequences, and conditioning eternal promises on actual endurance. 

    Warnings and Conditions in the Letters

    • Ephesus: Jesus warns that if the church does not repent for leaving its first love, He will “remove thy candlestick out of his place” (Revelation 2:5). [1]
    • Smyrna & Philadelphia: The promise of the crown of life and inclusion is explicitly tied to being “faithful unto death” (Revelation 2:10) and holding fast what they have “that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:11). 
    • Thyatira: Jesus warns He will cast those committing adultery into great tribulation and will “kill her children with death” (Revelation 2:22-23). 
    • Sardis: Jesus tells those who do not watch that He will come upon them “as a thief” (Revelation 3:3).
    • Laodicea: The lukewarm church is threatened with rejection: “I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16). 

      The Promise to the Overcomer

      • In every letter, rewards like eating from the tree of life or being clothed in white raiment are promised specifically “to him that overcometh” (Revelation 2:7, 3:5).
      • Supporters of eternal security point to Christ’s assurance in Sardis—“I will not blot out his name out of the book of life” (Revelation 3:5)—as proof of permanent keeping, while critics argue the conditional phrasing implies names can be blotted out for failing to overcome.”

      The Return of Jesus

      Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry UpdatesBecause You Care Page | Bible/Word of GodThe Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Grace and Truth Bible School [modules] | 7 Study Guides to a Greater Foundation in Christ | Knowing God | The Cross Life | Christology = the Study of Christ

      Join Us

      We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

      Please wait...

      Thank you for signing up!

      Continue Reading

      Articles

      Exhort One Another Daily [podcast]


      “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13

      “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:22-25

      Saints, let’s always remember that other disciples have the SAME exact iniquitous flesh to deal with daily as we do (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, etc.). They are just like us – absolutely wicked and depraved without the present working of the saving grace of our God at work in us! (Romans 7) Each of Christ’s followers are like us, working out their own salvation with fear and trembling as the LORD works in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).

      “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1

      “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

      Let’s lift up our LORD’s disciples instead of wrongly judging them in our attitudes, etc. Seeing and treating them with God’s love is important ( 1 Peter 4:7-8; 1 John 4:7-8, 16-18; 5:1, etc.).

      “And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” Zechariah 7:10

      “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Romans 14:19

      “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

      DOES the Bible tell us to “Go make disciples” OR to “Teach others God’s Word”? Interesting. Does the Bible Ever Say “Go Make Disciples”?

      Sign up for free email devotional HERE... The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

      Support | STORE | PodcastsThe Return of ChristStewardshipWhere to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account!Victory in Jesus | Discipleship | The Glorious Grace of God | The Restoring Love of Our God | God’s Mercy | Spiritual Warfare | JustificationGrace and Good Works [podcast]

      Join Us

      We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

      Please wait...

      Thank you for signing up!

      Continue Reading

      Categories

      donate button round
      sgys-books01

      Trending