The living Jesus empowers us to die.

This is a portion of chapter 15 of my book The Fall of Christendom.......

The living Jesus empowers us to die. The cross is the symbol of sacrifice and death. To live for Him is to die to ourselves and the world. In the Spiritual we came, we died and we rose again as a new creature in Christ. As we move towards and become like Jesus, we die to ourselves. And so there is an important intertwining of dying to ourselves and living the resurrected life. It is the heads and the tails of the same coin. If you focus on just one aspect to the detriment of the other, you will become imbalanced in your walk. We surely must pick up our cross daily it is important to realize that this will produce an abundant spiritual life in Christ and while you may die to the flesh internally, the world should see your joy expressed externally and wonder and marvel how such a thing could be. This is pleasing to God.

The proof of our new life, our resurrection from the dead, our authentic faith is not a large house or a $2000 suit or a prosperous life in this world, these things prove nothing in the Spiritual. The proof of our faith is how we react to carrying our cross. In the midst of death to ourselves does the love of Jesus pour forth? Do we minister to others when we ourselves are in the midst of trial and testing’s? Have we found the secret of being content in every situation? The cross does not lie. There is no hypocrisy on the cross. Tozer said that you knew one thing about a man carrying a cross out of the city, you knew he was not coming back. The cross signifies death to self and death to the world. It’s only by taking up our cross that we can crucify the flesh. The flesh wars against the Spirit. The flesh must die, it dies only upon the cross, it thrives on indulgence.

The walk of the cross is a lonely walk. Yet in every generation, across denominational lines, brothers and sisters will be called out. They will know each other when they meet. They will be people who have rejected the "norm.” They will be a people who are seeking a deeper walk with Jesus. While the crowd run after the latest craze and those that tickle their ears, these people will find themselves on an ancient narrow path. This path begins at Calvary and ends at the throne. It is a very difficult and lonely path but all the saints who have come before you have walked this very path. Be encouraged today saints, God has seen and sees the afflictions of His people. He has not left us as orphans, we have the Holy Spirit who can take us to a place that Jesus has prepared for us. He is our high tower and the righteous can run into it and are safe. There is a place beneath His wings that is ours. He has given us wings in the Spiritual so that we can fly to this place. And in this prepared place we can discover joy where there should be no joy. We can discover peace where there should be no peace. We can discover love where hate should be. We can be fed although a famine has overtaken the land. He is our fountain in a land that is dry and dusty, in a land where there is no water.

As the spiritual famine deepens, as the drought begins to change the landscape, as the counterfeit increases daily, the Lord knows how to feed His children. As the storm that rages then the Lord says to His children "I am the eye of the storm, do not be afraid of it, walk into the heart of it and find peace at the center it, I am the Lord of all storms and I stand in the midst of them and beckon unto my own to come unto me and take my hand and I will lead you through and you will not be overcome or destroyed.” We praise the Lord today that He sees all things and He knows all things and to those who have taken up their cross and walk the narrow path He is their strength and their comfort and sustainer.Jesus empowers us to die.......bro Frank

The walk of the cross is a lonely walk. Yet in every generation, across denominational lines, brothers and sisters will be called out. They will know each other when they meet. They will be people who have rejected the "norm.” They will be a people who are seeking a deeper walk with Jesus. While the crowd run after the latest craze and those that tickle their ears, these people will find themselves on an ancient narrow path. This path begins at Calvary and ends at the throne. It is a very difficult and lonely path but all the saints who have come before you have walked this very path.

In the current environment of evangelical Christianity in the Western cultures with apostasy and open homosexuality in Churches God is calling saints out of specific denominations. This will be a following of the Lord and bearing a cross to do so as the majority in some denominations are accepting the desolation and evil thing in their midst.

It has not always been God's plan that saints have to leave structured fellowships as believers have met in local gatherings of believers in the Bible such as the 7 letters in the Book of Revelation clearly show. And that there were over-comers in the midst of each Church, not departures from the Churches.

The health of the Church is far better in many countries compared to North America for instance, I have seen healthy gatherings of believers in some nations such as Nepal, India that were very strong in the Lord something I wish we had more here in Canada.

This "ancient narrow path" in the beginning was the one Church, one faith, one baptism and those saints all gathered in local churches that were one, with traditions and practices that were all the same. Of course there were false teachings or problems in each local church but the Lord was working to always show where each local body had a failing or problem.

But as brother Frank is alluding to that great suffering and even martyrdom awaits possibly many in the West who will stand for truth as there is a departure of the faith by many.

Bro Greg writes............

"The health of the Church is far better in many countries compared to North America for instance, I have seen healthy gatherings of believers in some nations such as Nepal, India that were very strong in the Lord something I wish we had more here in Canada."

I would agree with that. Most of what I write is about the church in the west which is so influential to the church at large. The church in Europe is all but gone, it is for all intents and purposes a post Christian world. Much of Africa is taken up with some version of the prosperity gospel or word of faith. If we took those kinds of churches out of the mix then the landscape of Christianity would closer resemble the European model...........bro Frank

Hi Elizabeth, I am glad that you and others were blessed and I love your question ..........

"Are you describing a place where a King, who is Jesus,is ruling in one's life,and is Lord ?"

Yes indeed I am describing a place where Jesus is King. This wee video below speaks directly to that question. I hope that is okay bro Greg. May all be blessed by the short message that glorifies God in the highest and answers your question Elizabeth.................bro Frank

https://youtu.be/D5xXrNPDD6Y

Brothers and Sisters, the Lord is working on hearts who are hungry for Him..He's working on me in ways I cannot tell you! There has been such a conviction and beautiful work I've never known....never, not like this. Im very grateful the Lord is drawing us together to encourage and edify one another as we see His Day approaching!

Brother Frank, thank you so much for obeying the Lord to encourage us.

Sister Leslie, your words ministered deeply to my heart.

May the Lord dissolve everything in our lives that are not of Him, may we truly be crucified with Jesus so He will get all the glory, and bring us to understand His perfect will and be faithful to DO it without question. Speaking the truth in love, even if it stings. Having done all to stand...stand. Being watchful for the purpose of prayer, but above all having fervent love for one another because love covers a multitude of sins.

Love is the difficult, narrow path through the cross to Jesus, the only way through the cross is death, for without death, there cannot be a resurrection that gives life.

Brothers and Sisters, keep spurring me on....Im listening! Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!

Sister Leslie writes............

"What was once simple belief in Christ and acting in faith has now become a spectator sport watching the super heroes up on the podium, so to speak. It's easier to watch a Christian film than to speak to a neighbor."

Yes indeed sister, a spectator sport for the most part, it is a terrible tragedy...........bro Frank

Thank you all for posting
Encouraging, edifying, glorifying God, wonderful to see.
This is what went through my mind:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Sister Sherri writes ...........

"Love is the difficult, narrow path through the cross to Jesus, the only way through the cross is death, for without death, there cannot be a resurrection that gives life."

Amen sister, could not agree more. It is a difficult thing to die, yet He bids us come to die, He bids us. What I mean by that is this, the cross was voluntary, Jesus bowed to the Father and said " not my will be done but thine." Calvary was not forced upon Jesus and we are not forced to take up our crosses daily. Shall we take up our crosses? Shall we put on the full armor? Shall we continually abide in Him? Shall we count all things as loss to be found in Him? Shall we learn to be content in every situation? Shall we love our neighbor? Shall we forgive one another? Shall we choose not to compromise? Shall we spend time with Jesus? Shall we do all things without complaint? There are so many more " shall we's."..............bro Frank

Brother Frank said..." Jesus bowed to the Father and said " not my will be done but thine." Calvary was not forced upon Jesus and we are not forced to take up our crosses daily. Shall we take up our crosses? Shall we put on the full armor? Shall we continually abide in Him? Shall we count all things as loss to be found in Him? Shall we learn to be content in every situation? Shall we love our neighbor? Shall we forgive one another? Shall we choose not to compromise? Shall we spend time with Jesus? Shall we do all things without complaint?"
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Thank you for these reminders.

Philippians 2:1-16
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Hi bro William,

I am sorry that you not hear the video. I think it must be something to do with the device that you have. Why dont you try again. If it does not work, e-mail me and I will send you the link directly through the e-mail and see if that makes a difference. appolus@aol.com ............bro Frank

Hi William,

Scottish :) I do know David Legge. Excellent preacher. I dont agree with all of his theological stances :) but have listened and learned so much from him. Greg and I met him in Wales at the revival conference where he was one of the speakers and I was the prayer coordinator. His message there was excellent and can be found right here on SI. I believe it is entitled " New thing," and the themes in this sermon resonate throughout many of his sermons............bro Frank

Bro Mike writes..........

"We can know His resurrection
life even when we are surrounded by
darkness. This is the life of Jesus
Christ that is present in every believer,
an overcoming life that delivers us from
death over and over again."

Amen brother, amen!.............bro Frank

Hi bro Mike,

I love listening to Duncan Campbell. His accent is softer and has more of a lilt as he comes from up north. I specifically like the way he said " God," Took him about five seconds to say God.............bro Frank

Since I am new to the forums, hopefully no one will try to beat me up for this, at least yet. I have no desire to offend or demean what anyone believes. I simply know how truth works in us and want to present this for consideration.

I’d like to contribute a different perspective regarding our participation in the death of Christ. I believe the lack of power in believers today is, in part, due to an incomplete understanding of what God accomplished in the work of Christ. A major theme of the New Testament is man’s union with God through Jesus Christ.

(One meaning of the word devil is "divider”.’ From the beginning, Satan has worked to divide, in ways we have yet to conceive. He not only seeks to divide people from each other but to divide us from our own selves, especially in our minds. That shows up in many ways. For instance, today many believers think they are three distinct and separate parts and the work of Christ only, yet, applies to the spiritual part, whatever we think that is. This makes it impossible to grasp what God has completed, which means we are always waiting for something more from God to help us.)

So, assuming that all reading this accept that God, in Christ, united Himself with mankind, with no degree of separation, let me jump to my point. In 1 Corinthians 1:6, Paul says the testimony of Christ was confirmed (secured, established, made reliable) in us. There is no suggestion or even hint that this only applies to part of us. In plain English, God has caused Christ’s testimony to be our testimony. Whatever He says about Himself, whatever is true about Him, according to John is true about us, "in this world.”(1 John 4:17) (John was fully cognizant of the fact we live in these bodies of flesh.) When did this become the case? When we rose from the dead with Him and in Him. According to Paul, whatever happened to Him happened to us because we were within Him on that cross. So, per the Bible, when He died, we did, too. When he rose, we did too. Yet, for most people, their experiences seem to tell them something far different. And, our experiences, because of the power of our emotions, can take on a reality that seems greater than anything the Bible says. Thus, many assume that our inclusion into Christ’s death must be something toward which we have to struggle.

But, what if it really did happen to us? What if we have already died and risen with Christ and are, right now, seated with Christ in the heavenlies, hidden in God? Is it possible that God, Who is always in the now, sees something different than we see? Is it possible that we have accepted what we see and feel as being consistent with God’s truth when it isn’t? Paul said we walk by faith not by sight. I think that means we walk by seeing things that can’t be seen with our natural eyes and emotions. So, how are we supposed to see what can’t be seen?

Consider this. If the body of knowledge out of which we lived before believing into Jesus was only His truth, we wouldn’t have needed Jesus. We wouldn’t need the knowledge of God, because we would already have it. But, in Colossians 1:10, Paul speaks of growing or increasing in the knowledge of God. Paul is not referring to knowledge about God but God’s knowledge, what He knows. The desire of all good fathers is for their children to learn what they know without going through the same hardships to learn it. Where would such a desire come from but Him Who is The Father? It is God’s desire that His children increasingly know what He knows.

Speaking of the Gentiles, and us before we believed, Paul says, "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them.” (Eph 4:20) That was all of us. We were all ignorant. Did that suddenly change after being born again? Did we all suddenly leap from being ignorant to having only God’s knowledge? I trow not. If any of us already knows what God knows, then why did He give us the New Testament? So, we must accept that Paul’s comment about "so learned Christ” (imperfect tense, Eph 4:20) refers to the fact that we are still learning. Which means that very likely some of what we still know is not what God knows. As long as we have any faulty foundational knowledge in our hearts, (we are never aware of it until the Holy Spirit shows us), that "knowing” can cause a distortion of other things which we believe. Because our foundational knowledge and beliefs are so often out of sight and mind, we do not realize they are affecting our perceptions of everything else. Oh, we are so dependent on the Holy Spirit.

A great problem in the church today is that we have not been taught how we work. What makes us tick? How did God create man to function? We don’t know, so the darkness has a field day with those who have yet to discover how God has, from before the beginning, planned on living His life within us, which includes experiencing the death and resurrection life of Christ. It is a subject that was so well understood by many early believers that it is constantly referenced in the Epistles without the apparent need to engage in a foundational teaching of it, though the existence of such teaching is quite clearly addressed in Hebrews 6:1. Many modern believers (those after the first few generations of believers) seem in the dark about such a crucial subject and thus keep falling into the same traps set by the evil. This is included in a subject that the writer of Hebrews calls "the chief (or first) teachings of the Christ.” We wonder why the people were so stunned at the authority of the teaching of Christ? Because He said things they had never heard anyone say. And what He said made tremendous sense. It gave them understanding. Many left His presence with a whole new mindset. That’s what we need in order to experience the power of the Gospel… a new mindset. Paul called it "the renewal of the mind.” The word "renewal” is a noun not a verb. Paul is telling his readers something that the modern church has totally missed.

So, I contend that the answers to the questions about how we can experience the death and life of Christ lie in understanding our union with Christ and how God’s Word works in our lives. Until we begin to understand some of these things we will continue to embrace what God says isn’t. As long as we believe that we just haven’t yet done it right or that something else needs to happen, we will experience an inward pain that we misunderstand as confirmation that we have yet to get it right.

Hi James, and, welcome to the forum.

I would like to make a couple of points or give a couple of pointers :) I add a smiley face so you know where I am coming from. I think a good rule of thumb is that a comment should not be larger that the original post, then it becomes a post in and of itself, which is fine. Does that make sense?

I read your comments and would really like you to refer back to the original post ( maybe quote a sentence or a paragraph) and challenge what has been written based on what you believe and what you are actually disagreeing with. I hope that makes sense.

So, having said all that. Am I right in saying that you believe that we can know the life and death of Jesus, not by experience but by a head knowledge, a proper understanding? So, for instance, the process of sanctification would not come in any kind of trials or tribulations, fires or afflictions burning away the flesh that always wars with the Spirit, but by having a proper understanding of who we are in Christ. Could be argued that in order to have a proper understanding of who we truly are in Christ comes through life and the narrow path and us walking it. You know that Paul says he had learned to be content in every situation. Do you believe that the learning Paul spoke of was separate and apart from the life of suffering he was enduring and overcoming? Okay, those are big subjects, might want to break that up into separate questions and take them one at a time............bro Frank

Bro Mike writes........

"Brothers,
I believe that the Word of God verifies
the truth of what each of you are sharing.
For indeed the cross was a finished work,
and we have been crucified with Christ,
but there is also a daily dying to self by
taking up our cross.

Watchman Nee explains these
two aspects of the cross very well in
The Normal Christian Life."

Amen brother, I agree. There are many things we have to reckon and there are many things we have to walk through and there are many things we simply " know," in the Spirit. It has been a might privilege to sit at the feet of the Holy Spirit and be taught.............bro Frank

Yes. It looks like you saw what I was trying to say. Thanks for the reply.

Brother Frank, I really appreciate your feedback. Thanks for the correction. I didn’t know that.

I have been pondering your thread and our exchanges in particular. Apparently, I did a very poor job of conveying what is in my heart regarding your subject. So, I have written and rewritten a reply to clarify my thoughts. Each time my heart tells me this is not the right response to you. This morning I began pondering again. I told the Lord that I wanted to send an appropriate reply that would bless you and all readers. Surprisingly, He said no, without explanation. So, my first reply to the wonderful subject of your thread must stand by itself. Maybe we will have opportunity to delve further into the subject at a later date.