"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
When I received Jesus as my Savior, I came just as I was, and He received me that way, covered in all my filth, brokenness, and corruption. I had no idea what it meant to be crucified with Him; I didn't understand what it meant to be baptized into His death. I thought that I'd just be able to put on the "saved and born-again coat" spotless and white, over the soiled personage of who and what I was, and that would suffice.
His sacrifice, His effort, all to my benefit, yes, but I thought that I'd just coast along.
In the beginning of my walk, I thought just Jesus got up on His cross so I didn't have to, Praise God. Yes, He paid the ultimate penalty for me, but early on I had no idea there was a great transformation that would be required.
He loved me so much He wouldn't-couldn't-let me stay the way I was(Romans 12:2).
I didn't understand that there was a cross, custom-made with my name on it, if I were to follow Jesus, I would be required to pick it up daily. Luke 9:23..there it is...the term daily, not occasionally when I felt like it, no-it is written just like the dosage instructions for an important medication. If I wanted to follow Him then I had to carry my own, just as Jesus had. Only room for one.
My natural fleshy nature has to die if my spiritual man is to thrive.
The process prescribed is not elective, it cannot be transferred or allayed.
My cross...daily...
Maybe I'm stating the obvious here.
To most of us the Scripture I am referencing here are well known, as we nod with acknowledgement.
No pain no gain, we say.
Yet how many of us can gladly carry their own crosses as if to say through every painful experience, "Thank you Lord, may I have another..."
I know that in and of myself I can't; I'm just being honest here, but thankfully the weight of it is offset by the easy yoke that He has promised to give me to lighten the load.
Galatians 2:20
When I received Jesus as my Savior, I came just as I was, and He received me that way, covered in all my filth, brokenness, and corruption. I had no idea what it meant to be crucified with Him; I didn't understand what it meant to be baptized into His death. I thought that I'd just be able to put on the "saved and born-again coat" spotless and white, over the soiled personage of who and what I was, and that would suffice.
His sacrifice, His effort, all to my benefit, yes, but I thought that I'd just coast along.
In the beginning of my walk, I thought just Jesus got up on His cross so I didn't have to, Praise God. Yes, He paid the ultimate penalty for me, but early on I had no idea there was a great transformation that would be required.
He loved me so much He wouldn't-couldn't-let me stay the way I was(Romans 12:2).
"Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,and follow Me."
Luke 9:23
I didn't understand that there was a cross, custom-made with my name on it, if I were to follow Jesus, I would be required to pick it up daily. Luke 9:23..there it is...the term daily, not occasionally when I felt like it, no-it is written just like the dosage instructions for an important medication. If I wanted to follow Him then I had to carry my own, just as Jesus had. Only room for one.
My natural fleshy nature has to die if my spiritual man is to thrive.
The process prescribed is not elective, it cannot be transferred or allayed.
My cross...daily...
Maybe I'm stating the obvious here.
To most of us the Scripture I am referencing here are well known, as we nod with acknowledgement.
No pain no gain, we say.
Yet how many of us can gladly carry their own crosses as if to say through every painful experience, "Thank you Lord, may I have another..."
I know that in and of myself I can't; I'm just being honest here, but thankfully the weight of it is offset by the easy yoke that He has promised to give me to lighten the load.
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