Tags
1 Corinthians 2:1-2, Born Again, Choose Jesus, Choose Wisely, Colossians 1:12-14, Ephesians 2:1-10, Following Jesus or Self, Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ, Jesus Saves!, Jesus saves--Only Jesus!, Luke 9:22-26, Take Up YOUR Cross, There is a test
Simply To The Cross I Go??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #44
“And I, brethren,
when I came to you,
came not with excellency of speech
or of wisdom,
declaring unto you
the testimony of God.
2 For I determined
not to know any thing among you,
save Jesus Christ,
and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-2
It’s so easy these days for people to preach and share anything but the “Cross”! It’s easy to hear a message of indulgence, no-demand salvation, almost anything but the call to “take up your cross and follow me” is dangled before the church and the world claiming to offer a “get out of jail free” card—fire insurance- with no regard for the price that Jesus paid for the salvation of those who would come to HIM by faith for forgiveness of sin, and a new birth. I believe that we must cling to the cross of Jesus and all that it means, for without it there is NO salvation!
“Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet
to be partakers
of the inheritance of the saints
in light:
13 Who hath delivered us
from the power of darkness,
and hath translated us
into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption
through his blood,
even the forgiveness
of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14
We have been “translated…into the kingdom of his dear Son”, Hallelujah, Amen! That means our heart is new born, our tongue speaks a new language, and our mind can be renewed every day by HIS power and love through the indwelling Holy Spirit who indwells each genuine believer, as we pursue HIS holiness through The Word of God. Jesus explains it clearly:
“Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things,
and be rejected
of the elders
and chief priests
and scribes,
and be slain,
and be raised the third day.
23 And he said to them all,
If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily,
and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life
shall lose it:
but whosoever will lose his life
for my sake,
the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged,
if he gain the whole world,
and lose himself,
or be cast away?
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed
of me and of my words,
of him shall the Son of man
be ashamed,
when he shall come in his own glory,
and in his Father’s,
and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:22-26
Many say they can’t understand the “crucified life”, but it’s relatively simple: when we come to the cross of Jesus, we exchange our dead self for new life IN Jesus, a new life that leads us to glory with Jesus! Paul made it pretty clear as he wrote to the believers in Ephesus; and my friends, if you’ve never been a lost sinner, it’s not likely that you’ve ever had any need for Jesus Christ the Savior, Lord, and King! You might want to check out what you are depending on to take you to heaven, for there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun? What are you pursuing? Have you seen your sin? Have you brought it to Jesus’ cross?
“And you hath he quickened,
who were dead
in trespasses
and sins;
2 Wherein in time past
ye walked
according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power
of the air,
the spirit that now worketh
in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation
in times past
in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires
of the flesh
and of the mind;
and were by nature the children of wrath,
even as others.
4 But God,
who is rich in mercy,
for his great love
wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins,
hath quickened us together with Christ,
(by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together,
and made us sit together
in heavenly places
in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come
he might shew the exceeding riches
of his grace
in his kindness toward us
through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved
through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works,
lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus
unto good works,
which God hath before ordained
that we should walk
in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10
What are you “walking in”? Jesus’ way or your own? Jesus’ way or the world’s? It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test. For you see, our “works”, be they good, bad, or indifferent, won’t save us, but when we come to Jesus, God leads unto “good works” for God’s glory and our good! I choose Jesus and have determined to pursue HIM each day! Won’t you join me?
“I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live;
yet not I,
but Christ liveth in me:
and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me,
and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
I pray that you will come to HIS cross today! Amen and Amen!!!
Bible Ballistics 