1 Corinthians 15:31 “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily.” Philippians 2:8 “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” A cross means ‘Death,’ there is just absolutely no way of escaping death, it is inevitable, be it quick or be it very slow, so when once you are nailed to a cross, being now actually attached, you are in essence dead, for in time, you do actually come off the cross, but by then there is absolutely no life left within you, you are dead, and you are now off to the place of burial. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory [Character] of God;” for in Roman Times, falling short, letting the side down, failing, inevitably meant death, and the Cross was the most public and humiliating of the death choices that any Judge had to select from, but as a Christian, we die to sin, and self, and the flesh, for “The Way of the Cross leads us Home,” it leads us through the portal of the tomb of Jesus unto living a real life, it leads into Eternity, it leads home to God our Father, home to a new life for in a new birth, we are dead unto the old ways, and alive to heavenly places, 2 Timothy 5:17 “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” “The Way of the Cross leads Home.”
Satan = Pride and Self, self or selfishness means the flow of things is always ‘Inwards,’ coming in towards them, all focus and attention is upon themselves, it is all about them. Love on the other hand is always ‘Outwards,’ giving, spreading, sharing, even to the ungrateful and unthankful, love is above hurt and insults, Luke 23:34a “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Jesus hung dying upon the Cross and was still forgiving those that were still actively crucifying him, rejecting him, insulting and abusing him, now that is ‘Godly Love.’ Why do we not meet loads more Christ living Christians just like that?
There is a story that goes somewhat like this; a person was taken to Hell, and there were very long tables groaning under the weight of delicious fragrant food, but they were all very miserable, fighting, insulting and arguing, and all were very hungry, why, because each had in their hand a spoon about a meter long, that very long spoon, and try as they might, they were totally unable to get food into their starving mouths, such a very sad place. Next, they were transported to Heaven, surprise-surprise, just the same setting, all were seated at very long tables, and each held the same long spoons, but all was joy and happiness. Why you may ask, well each was feeding his neighbour, do try this as it is delicious, would you like to try some of that next, all was happiness and joy, what made the difference, for when you were selfish and starving, it was all because you had tried to feed yourself, but then when you became caring and sharing, feeding others, who in turn gratefully fed you and catered for your needs in return, all is happiness and joy, things are ‘Heavenly.’ For “The Way of the Cross always leads Home.”
‘What you do not overcome – will always overcome you,’ we need adopt this mantra also ‘we’d better happen to it, before it happens to us,’ we need to be Proactive and not Reactive, focused, intent, decisive, coming straight to Jesus, making everything right, and living close to him. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Romans 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” 1 Corinthians 15:31 “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily.” John 12:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Genesis 32:26-28 “And he said, let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, what [is] thy name? And he said, Jacob (means; Heel-Catcher, Supplanter.) And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel (means; having power with God, or God Fighter): for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Bless me God or I die, for only “The way of the Cross leads Home to you.” Only with Jesus our Saviour = ‘Life,’ but all other paths lead to ‘Un-Life.’ “The way of the Cross definitely leads Home.” Let us not be confused on this point, Satan is very powerful, for those that have had close contact, they know the power of evil, that blinding and binding power, but for ever and always, God is greater than evil, love conquers everything, love changes everything, the power of God unto salvation, the power of love trumps everything. Satan cannot read your thoughts and mind, but through experience he knows how to push your buttons, how to tempt you into turning away from God and to walk in his paths of Un-Life. Satan listens to what you say, he closely monitors what you do, then tactfully crafts temptation and degradation, to cast in your way in an evil attempt to ensnare you. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].” Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” For; “The Way of the Cross leads straight Home!”
