Why We Should Embrace the Cross

S

sermonindex Jun 22, 2008

This is something I posted on my blog and I thought I would share it here. After watching that video Greg, shared of the christians suffering in China, the Lord spoke this to me:

Why We Should Embrace the Cross

(These are just some things the Lord has been speaking to my heart and working into my life day by day.)

Without the cross thier is no salvation.

Without the cross I cannot know Him.

Without the cross I cannot enter into the fellowship of His sufferings.

Without the cross I cannot be conformed unto His image.

Without the cross I cannot be resurrected with Him.

Phl 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

S

sojourner7 Jun 23, 2008

In the film *The Passion of Christ*, there is
a scene where Jesus is taunted by those who ask
Him why He embraced the cross. I've been think-
ing a lot about what it means to embrace the
cross. Jesus knew in His heart that bearing the
cross was God's purpose and will for Him. His
heart was ready, His life yielded to the Father's purpose.
"who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame;
and has set down at the right hand of the
throne of God." Hebrews 12 vs 2

S

sermonindex Jun 23, 2008

sojourner7 wrote:
I've been think-
ing a lot about what it means to embrace the
cross. Jesus knew in His heart that bearing the
cross was God's purpose and will for Him. His
heart was ready, His life yielded to the Father's purpose.
"who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame;
and has set down at the right hand of the
throne of God." Hebrews 12 vs 2

The cross is our way of healing and deliverance. I think we have misunderstood in many ways what the cross symbolizes. The cross is not just about suffering. Actually to our flesh man it is suffering but to our spirit man it is life and deliverance. If we are suffering it's only because there is something in our flesh man that does not want to yeild. It's only at the cross where we can be set free from these things that hold us in bondage.

This is why we should embrace the cross and yes, this kind of suffering.

S

sojourner7 Jun 23, 2008

I was thinking of embracing God's purpose and
will for us; and yes, embracing God's will
brings healing, deliverance, and redemption!!

S

sermonindex Jun 23, 2008

sojourner7 wrote:
I was thinking of embracing God's purpose and
will for us; and yes, embracing God's will
brings healing, deliverance, and redemption!!

Amen.

S

sermonindex Jun 23, 2008

We don't have alot of physical threats and suffering in this country but it's so hard for us here to do the simplest things like giving up our will for instance. We don't realize how strong willed we are until God asks us to give it up.