Deny, Take Up, Follow – Part 2

We finished part 1 with this statement. “It is Christ and Him crucified – the FINISHED work of the cross that has the power. It is the blood of the finished work of Christ.”

We proceed to the cross for victory, but we proceed from the cross in victory. Why? Because of what happened there and who completed the action on that cross. “Until you fully comprehend the finality of the cross, you will never experience the power of the resurrection.”

The resurrection is absolutely necessary and is extremely powerful for us to live with the power, authority, and joys of this Christian life. The resurrection did not provide for our salvation. What it did do is fully seal, confirm, and ratify the finished and completed work at the cross. That’s why people get so mixed up about what the gospel truly is. They often talk about Jesus dying on the cross for their sins, but forget that He rose again from the dead to live for us, in us and through us. That’s the kingdom and that’s the gospel. Look at this next verse.

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

Are you getting this. We try to make this christian thing to be about us. It’s not. It’s all about Him. In 1 Corinthians 1:17,18 in the NLT reads:

17 For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.

18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

What’s Paul saying? He’s saying that he was sent to preach the gospel, the good news, the very power of God, the Kingdom, and not use fancy words that dilute the power of the cross of Christ. He’s saying the message of the cross (meaning the finished work) seems foolish to unbelievers, doubters, even works oriented, religious believers, but to those who believe, it is where our power was provided and comes from.

Add to the above that Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified”. Finally, Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me”.

Paul understood that the preaching of the cross was most important. Without the foundation of the finished work of the cross in our preaching and teaching, we are wasting our time and what is stated will not stand.

Finally, walk in the newness of His life. Follow His way and put aside your way. To do otherwise is to reject what He has done and ignore all that He has already provided. Like the verse above says. Follow me and I’ll show you how.

It isn’t sin that keeps you from a right relationship with God. It’s the inability to enter into His rest. What was it that kept them from entering His rest? It was unbelief. Since Christ has made you free, stay free and never be caught up in that web of bondage of slavery to religion, legalism, dead works, and unbelief. Always remember that the gospel is not about right living, it is about right believing.

Grace and Peace.