“…whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:8, “For me to live, is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
Dear Ones;
Though the cross is not an instrument of execution that is used frequently today, it does carry with it a certain significance and meaning. Jesus spoke of a “daily cross” that was to be taken up, if one was to follow Him. What did He mean by this? To answer this question, we need to go back to the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve had disobeyed the Lord, broke faith with Him, and became “self-conscious,” “self-centered.” In that moment the object of trust and faith ceased to be wholly in God, and the “flesh,” or sinful “self” was born. Jesus tells us that “the “flesh” profits nothing.” (Jn. 6:63) This flesh is that principle and person that relies on itself, is devoted to itself, and not to God. To reveal to us the horror and worthlessness of trusting in ourselves, our own “resources,” God had to allow His Son to be crucified on the cross. That act is the declaration of God’s judgement on the flesh, on all that is not of faith, of sin. Why then does Jesus instruct us to “take up your cross and follow Me?” It is because the everlasting, covenant God, is ever seeking to save us from ourselves, as well as our sin. Sinful “self,” or, “the flesh”, was nailed to the cross in Christ. Would not the One who loves the entire world reveal to us that the “flesh” is NOT His way? On the contrary, the Lord Jesus unveils the great and wondrous truth: “…It is the Spirit that quickeneth (gives life, or makes alive).” (Jn. 6:63) So then, why does the Apostle Paul say, “I die daily?” First, it is because it is a daily attitude to grasp and make our own. A daily cross is the pathway to daily victory. Secondly, it is because he has seen the horror of the flesh and its works, its inability to “save” and deliver, and the utter baseness of its ungodly nature, and defiance of God. His understanding of this is so very clearly declared when he wrote: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24) Then he goes on to say: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord…there is no condemnation…the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me FREE.” (Romans 7:25, 8:1,2) The cross is not only the declaration of God concerning the utter wretchedness of the flesh, “self,” and sin, but also the proclamation that God has provided a way of deliverance, and it is by FAITH in the finished work of Christ. The man who has believed that he was (is) crucified with Christ, is the man who is free from trusting in himself to love and serve God. This is because his source for everything in life is the Spirit of Christ. Herein is victory that is sure: “All in Christ, by the Holy Spirit, for the glory of God. All else is nothing.”
One last thought. Though it is a daily cross, we will never be able to perfectly live in the light of its truth, howbeit, more and more, until faith becomes sight. However, His grace is sufficient for every DAY, this day. His Spirit is just as real as a cross, and we are to live by the faith of the Son of God, by His Everlasting, Ever-present Spirit. All things are possible to him that believeth.
Father, give us grace to understand what the cross truly means, granting us balance and clarity, so that we may truly follow Christ. We thank Thee this day that He IS our life, not just an idea, concept, or persuasion, but true LIFE, the true existence of God revealed to and in men. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad