by Tim
The words of Jesus are great treasures, and when we accept His words and apply them to our lives, they become like jewels in our eternal crowns. This article will examine a long ago forgotten teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” We live in a self-indulgent, “me first” culture. Teachings about the blessings of God are wonderful, but the concept of self-denial and cross-bearing are mostly unheard of. Why must you pick up your cross and deny yourself? Let us look at the word human. The Latin root of human is two words, humas and hominis. Humas means earth or dirt, and hominis means man; in other words, humans are earthly beings or dirt people. It is God's will for you to reach up and become godly, but the natural inclination is for a person to become more and more like dirt.
Hence, the cross; we must deny the natural pull toward the earthly life and reach up to the heavenly life. Our culture has fallen into the depths of the dirt life. We must reject the principles of our culture and strive to live according to the teachings of the Bible. Jesus said, “That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” This is quite a far-reaching statement. But think of what the world esteems or considers important, and compare it to the teaching of the Bible.
Now back to the cross—or perhaps you have forgotten where your cross is? Listen church, it is time to get out of the self-life, dust off your cross and be crucified unto the world, and live unto God. This is important. Romans 8:13 says, "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
Yes, yes, yes! We are saved by faith and only faith, but what have you done with this great salvation? Are you an ambassador for Christ, letting your light shine among men and sharing the gospel so that others may be saved? Or have you been on the self satisfying road, the broad road, that leads to the dirt-life?
Live the Christ-centered life. Be a peculiar people. Do something for God with your life. Identify with Jesus, and He will identify with you. Reach up to the heavenly and get out of the dirt-life, and God will bless you.
“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
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