Where the Cross Leads

In scripture the cross is depictive of the burden of Christ. Have you ever heard the saying “No cross, no Crown”? This is a very true assessment as it relates to ministry and salvation. When we come into ministry, we inherit a cross. The cross also represents the cost of ministry. Let us look at Paul. His ministry cost him his position as a Pharisee, his freedom from time to time and eventually his life. Let us look at John, who was constantly persecuted and exiled to the Isle of Patmos. The ministries of both these men were great but look at what it cost them. Some of us neglected our cross a long time ago and because of that we have gotten caught up in sin, not realizing that it was the cross that kept our lives in perspective. Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, 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. In this scripture, Paul shows that his suffering for Christ’s sake was simultaneous with the life that Christ was living through him. Because he suffered in Christ, he lived in Christ. A very powerful statement was made in this scripture that I wish to dissect and that is “I live by the faith of the Son of God.” When we walk in the Spirit we trust Christ to lead us inside of our decision-making. Christ trusts the Father by faith. When we walk in the Spirit we walk by the faith Christ has in the Father. This is why the Spirit can lead us to situations that our flesh would not normally accept, even situations too complicated for our own minds. This is the faith Christ walked in while on planet Earth. Have you ever experienced this, “Walking by the faith of the Son of God?” Have you ever experienced being totally led by the Spirit? Some may answer “no” to these questions but yet they are saved and have never experienced the life salvation promised. Once again, this is due to the neglect of the cross. Now in the life of a disciple it is essential to hear from God. So, on this journey we had embarked on, we were waiting to hear from God. We needed to know our next move. At this time Doc began to teach the message, “That Life.”

1 John 1:1

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

1 John 1:3

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

The message we entitled “That Life,” is a message taught by John to show us the origin of Christ far before His birth in Bethlehem. This life began before He was ever named Jesus. And now this life is ours. We are in it and it is in us. Have you ever met people who say that they are saved because they have changed their life to fit the rules and regulations of the church? Or, when you ask them have they received the Holy Ghost they say no, yet they believe that they are saved? This scripture separates those who have changed their lives from those who have a new life. SALVATION IS MORE THAN A CHANGE OF LIFE. It is a resurrection from the dead into life. This scripture also tells us of our connection to the Father, something that only comes by way of the Holy Ghost.

1 John 1:2

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) This is the passage many believers stumble at because it tells of our responsibility to reveal that eternal life that was manifested unto us. The reason believers stumble is because this life is seen not only through preaching, singing or teaching, but also rather through the suffering brought about by self-denial. Many have agreed to being saved to escape hell, but not to deny self and this is seen in our everyday walk. The sad part is that you cannot separate the two and make it into the Kingdom. It is apparent that most of us have forgotten those things God used to bring us. Many have forsaken their cross and have pursued a life in God without suffering. Not so much the suffering of things but rather the suffering of self-denial. Some have decided to continue in God without denying themselves the pleasures of sin. Some are even under the deception that they are going to indulge themselves in sin now and miraculously get right before they die. This is great deception but so many walk in it day by day. So consider this a reminder of the call in your life and a reminder that the only way to complete the journey of salvation, you must carry your cross.

My prayers are forever with those given to me to lead, Apostle Michael Thomas