The power of God demonstrated through men comes from character developed in secret. Only a “crucified life” (Gal. 2:20) qualifies one to be a member of the “society of redeemers” – those who have lain their lives down and pay the price of intercession and ministry to others.
Three keys exist for living a “crucified life”:
The first is to identify and pull down the spirit of self pity. This spirit deceives many and is one of the biggest enemies of our soul. Self pity is epidemic in the church today as it keeps old wounds infected. Beelzebub (lord of the flies) is one of satan’s names. Just as flies carry bacteria and cause infections so also Beelzebub keeps the pain of past offenses and contention alive and working its destructive force in lives. Often, this spirit becomes so predominant that it creates a devious, deceptive comfort zone of failure and victimization making one’s life a series of crises. Self pity is a test that we must pass to have God’s character of holiness living within us. We only overcome this spirit as we escape into Christ and allow His Word and Life to be lived through us.
The second key to living a “crucified life” is to know our cross. The cross is not what kills us – it’s the price we pay for redemption. The power and purpose of the cross is forgiveness. Failure to understand the cross is failure to understand forgiveness. The cross is where the wounded get healed, and also become an offering to those who wounded them. The cross perfects love in your life – if slapped on the cheek, turn the other; if forced to go one mile, journey two; when cursed, bless; when persecuted, pray for your persecutor. You cannot be perfected in love in a world where no one wounds you! Maturity only occurs in a realm where injustice forces us to climb to the nature of Christ, by dying to self-pity and revenge. We either retreat into Christ or into empty, powerless religion. Christianity is conformity to Christ and His death – this releases the power of a “resurrected life” in the natural realm. To the degree that our “old nature” is crucified with Christ – we become the living body of Christ in this world.
The third key to living a “crucified life” is being conformed to the image of Christ – and this often means being cut-off from your worldly support system. In Matt 27:46, Jesus cried out - “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” Like Jesus Christ we will find ourselves in a time when nothing spiritual seems to work; our closest friends are sleeping when they promised to be praying with and for us; you’ve been betrayed by a close friend; you feel weak and vulnerable; you have been relegated to no worldly help or relief from the stress and anxiety of circumstances. Jesus suffered this – and subjectively, we also may suffer similarly. Jesus response in Lk. 23:34 - “Father forgive them…” This is the character of Christ that releases His Glory.
Jesus’ destiny included the cross, but did not conclude at the cross. There was a subsequent resurrection, ascension, and release of Holy Spirit to birth the New Covenant church.
Likewise, the cross is a part of our destiny – not our end! God’s pre-determined plan is to conform us to the image of His Son, through His death, resurrection, and ascension to His character, power and glory! Amen.
Three keys exist for living a “crucified life”:
The first is to identify and pull down the spirit of self pity. This spirit deceives many and is one of the biggest enemies of our soul. Self pity is epidemic in the church today as it keeps old wounds infected. Beelzebub (lord of the flies) is one of satan’s names. Just as flies carry bacteria and cause infections so also Beelzebub keeps the pain of past offenses and contention alive and working its destructive force in lives. Often, this spirit becomes so predominant that it creates a devious, deceptive comfort zone of failure and victimization making one’s life a series of crises. Self pity is a test that we must pass to have God’s character of holiness living within us. We only overcome this spirit as we escape into Christ and allow His Word and Life to be lived through us.
The second key to living a “crucified life” is to know our cross. The cross is not what kills us – it’s the price we pay for redemption. The power and purpose of the cross is forgiveness. Failure to understand the cross is failure to understand forgiveness. The cross is where the wounded get healed, and also become an offering to those who wounded them. The cross perfects love in your life – if slapped on the cheek, turn the other; if forced to go one mile, journey two; when cursed, bless; when persecuted, pray for your persecutor. You cannot be perfected in love in a world where no one wounds you! Maturity only occurs in a realm where injustice forces us to climb to the nature of Christ, by dying to self-pity and revenge. We either retreat into Christ or into empty, powerless religion. Christianity is conformity to Christ and His death – this releases the power of a “resurrected life” in the natural realm. To the degree that our “old nature” is crucified with Christ – we become the living body of Christ in this world.
The third key to living a “crucified life” is being conformed to the image of Christ – and this often means being cut-off from your worldly support system. In Matt 27:46, Jesus cried out - “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” Like Jesus Christ we will find ourselves in a time when nothing spiritual seems to work; our closest friends are sleeping when they promised to be praying with and for us; you’ve been betrayed by a close friend; you feel weak and vulnerable; you have been relegated to no worldly help or relief from the stress and anxiety of circumstances. Jesus suffered this – and subjectively, we also may suffer similarly. Jesus response in Lk. 23:34 - “Father forgive them…” This is the character of Christ that releases His Glory.
Jesus’ destiny included the cross, but did not conclude at the cross. There was a subsequent resurrection, ascension, and release of Holy Spirit to birth the New Covenant church.
Likewise, the cross is a part of our destiny – not our end! God’s pre-determined plan is to conform us to the image of His Son, through His death, resurrection, and ascension to His character, power and glory! Amen.