CRUCIFIED 1. CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED FOR US. But have we been crucified for Him? Paul made a simple yet profound statement when he said, “I am crucified with Christ.” Gal. 2:20 That involves complete interaction with Christ, in all of His cross experiences. The suffering, the rejection, the pain and heart ache are all a part of a true visitation to Calvary. He viewed water baptism as the moment where he became immersed into an identification with the death of Christ. He called it a burial service where we are baptized into death, the crucifixion, the death, the burial and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Fully one with Him in that which He suffered for us. Water baptism is not a church ritual. It is meant by the Lord to be our moment of wonderful unity with Him. Even as Christ did not stay in the tomb, we are not left in the waters of baptism for there is a resurrection that coincides with entering into His death. We are to come forth in the glory of the Lord. We are to walk in that new life which is portrayed in the Word of the Lord. Living in resurrection life. Rom. 6:4 PLANTED TOGETHER WITH HIM IN THE LIKENESS OF HIS DEATH. If this be true, then we are to be raised together with Him. Possessing the same resurrection life that He manifests. Enjoying to the fullness all the rich blessings of the Lord. The one follows and is closely aligned with the other. This is the life of Christ being made manifest in His church. A triumphant church walking in the completeness of His life as it is lived out in us. Rom. 6:5 KNOWING THIS, how many really know it? Is it a living reality in us? This is the key to the victorious life in Christ. That place where it is no longer a struggle to live the Christian life but because His life is our life we live His life, in this present world. What are we to know and fully discern? Our old man, the past life, the carnal works, even to the smallest degree are crucified with Christ. When this is true, the works of the flesh are no longer in evidence in us. We are dead to their appeal and living now in the glories of the Christ. The body of sin has been done away with. We are no longer dominated by the flesh and the desires of the body of sin. We are not the servants of sin. It is the will of the Lord that every one of His people live a life of liberty and freedom. Rom. 6:6 What beautiful simplicity is found in the words of Paul when he said, “ For he that is dead is free from sin.” Rom. 6:7 What a marvelous solution that becomes to the Christian who is living the life of a yo-yo, in victory and out of victory. We must know that the Lord never intended for His people to live in such a fashion. The Christian life is designed to be one of glory, power and of over coming victory. It is not achieved by the power of suggestion or mind over matter. It is a life that is lived by the faith of the Son of God. Still living in this body of flesh but now His life is being enacted in us. The Christian who is truly dead, because of their visit to the cross of Christ, is bound to be the liveliest for his spiritual life is complete and unhindered by the flesh. Gal. 2:20 CRUCIFIED 2 WATER BAPTISM LIKENED TO CIRCUMCISION BY PAUL. One cannot be satisfied without knowing the depths and innermost workings of the Spirit accomplished by water baptism. Paul called it a “putting off of the flesh.” That is a complete disassociation to all that is contrary to the Word of the Lord. It can only be accomplished by the commitment of the individual being baptized. It is a work achieved by the operation of the Spirit in our heart and spirit. Note, it is called “the circumcision of Christ.” Which signifies the removal of the carnal nature that we might have complete and unhindered and unlimited fellowship with Him. Col. 2:11 That it is a work wrought inwardly, in the heart and in the spirit is further illuminated by Paul. He also stated that it was not fulfilled by the letter, our humanity and desire to do good works is so prone to cause us to miss the spiritual implications of the Word. Rom. 2:29 GLORIOUS RESULTS. The quickening, the bringing to life which is so much desired by the Christian community, becomes a fact of life. There is a unity, a oneness with Him which is attained when the flesh is removed. Out of death, He brings forth life. Real life, life in conjunction with Christ. Col. 2:13 When the body is surrendered to the Lord, the Spirit becomes the dominant factor and keeps the flesh in subjection. Not only is the Spirit renewed and refreshed but also the physical body is renewed and revived, being strengthened by the Spirit of Christ which dwells within. Rom. 8:11 PRACTICAL RESULTS. The righteous demands of the Law met and satisfied. That which was an impossibility now fully met and accomplished. The living of the Christ life meets all the requirements established by the Law. Rom. 8:4 The secret is in allowing the Spiritual man to have the dominance in ones life. When that is done we find that we walk after spiritual ways and not after the ways of the flesh. It is a life that is lived within and finds an expression in the conduct that we manifest day by day. The way of the Lord is always the right way, the easy way and the simple way. Consider Paul’s statement, “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Gal. 5:16 So understandable, do one thing, the right thing, and you will not do the other, the wrong thing. Being led by the Spirit into the righteousness and holiness provided by the Lord becomes an assurance that we belong to Him. That we are the sons of the most High. Rom. 8:14 For the Spirit of the Lord will bear witness with our spirit that we are indeed the sons of God. Rom. 8:16 We then are heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Providing we suffer with Him, be crucified with Him. Then we will be glorified together with Him, eternally. Rom. 8:17 The rewards far exceed any pain or sorrow that we may suffer as a Christian, for they are connected with this life only. While spiritual things are eternal and everlasting. Many in his life will never receive an inheritance or at least one of great riches. However, in Christ, you will receive the greatest estate that has ever been known. Life everlasting and the blessings of the kingdom to come. CRUCIFIED 3 EVIDENCE OF BELONGING TO CHRIST. We so easily place our claims on belonging to Christ but at times there is little resemblance to the Apostolic pattern of a Christ like life. The true evidence of being His possession is His cross in our lives. The cross must be a very strong part of the Christian life from the very start. Its influence must increase constantly until we come to the perfection's which are in Christ Jesus. The affections, the passions the love for the things of this world. The lusts, that strong burning and desire for the things that please the flesh, all are removed and die out of the crucified life. Gal. 5:24 It is not a case of being able to withstand their strong appeal but a situation where there is no longer an appeal, a longing or desire for those things that corrupt. The sinful nature must die and thereby cease to exist. No entreaty of any sort will in any way effect a dead person. We must know the power of the cross of Christ in our lives. Gal. 5:24 THROUGH THE SPIRIT. It is the Spirit who helps us in all of our infirmities. He has been sent into the world to bring us into a full and complete revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our helper and it is through Him that we become acquainted with the cross. With His power and His help we may mortify [to kill, put to death] the carnal works of the body and thereby find life beyond the cross, in Christ. Rom. 8:13 It is very evident that there is not sufficient room in the spirit nature of man for two natures to coexist. therefore if we fill our life with Christ, there will be no place found for those things which are worldly, sensual and carnal. Put on Christ, be clothed with Him, with His presence and His Word. Make Him to be the center of your love and emotions. Filling ones life with Him will leave absolutely no room for anything which would be detrimental. Defeat the enemy by inundating yourself with that which is profitable. Embrace and feed the spiritual nature and in so doing make no provision for the flesh. Rom. 13:14 THE WILL OF THE LORD. All those who have been born of the Word and the Spirit are destined to be an overcomer, more than conquerors. The powers of the Lord manifest in producing the new creature contain the ability to triumph, fully, over the ways of the world. A victory that is motivated by our faith in the Son of God. No one, having been born of the Spirit will continue in sin. The key word is continue, they will not remain in, and exercise a sinful state and activity. The seed, the Word of the Lord will deliver from all unrighteousness. Those having continuos problems have not submitted their lives fully to the Lord. He liberates, He sets us free, He gives us victory. We need not live in defeat and condemnation. I John 3:9 If we are to be blessed of the Lord, there must be a work of cleansing and sanctification accomplished in our lives. This is not a time to see how close we may live to the world and still serve the Lord. It is a time to come clean for the Lord. CRUCIFIED 4 ARM YOURSELVES WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST. There can be no Christian life without Christ being the very heart and spirit of that life. Christ came into the world knowing that He would have to suffer and die on the cross. Therefore we are to be armed with the same mind in being willing to suffer with Him in whatever form it may come. The flesh does not like to suffer, and especially it does not want to die, but die it must if we are to cease from sin. 1 Pet. 4:1 If we are to live a life that is fashioned after the will of God, there must be a freedom from the lusts of the flesh. 1 Pet. 4:2 A REVEALED RIGHTEOUSNESS. This righteousness is not man made and is not developed by religious attitudes. It is the power of the gospel working in the individual in sanctification and cleansing from the works of the flesh. A righteousness that is made known by faith, from beginning to end. Not something that is taught by the doctrines of men but it is the manifestation of the life of Christ in the individual. Rom. 1:17 To those challenged by a lack of faith or the desire and will to make the necessary surrender to the will of Christ, He is the only source of power and strength whereby we may overcome the works of the flesh. Phil. 4:13 This righteousness is not only of the hidden man but it is also made manifest in a manner of holiness that is pleasing to the Lord. It should be the goal of every born again believer for it is pleasing to the Lord. It is not a work of the law but is the cleansing of the Word and Spirit. Rom. 3:21 WITHOUT AN EXPERIENCE OF HAVING SINNED, HE WAS MADE SIN. The price paid at Calvary was absolute and complete. Fully adequate to pay the penalty for the sin of all men who ever have or ever will exist on the earth. The plan and purpose of God was to completely burden Jesus with the totality of sin. The sinless, dying for the sinful. The innocent pay the price for the guilty. An unjust sentence passed on the only man who has ever been proven guiltless. All to accomplish the divine purpose of bestowing the righteousness of the Almighty upon those who believe on His name. 2 Cor. 5:21 Righteousness and faith are inseparable. Abraham was a man of faith and believed the Lord, therefore his faith became his righteousness. In other words he was righteous because he believed the Lord and had implicit trust in His promises. Rom. 4:3 Faith and works are not compatible. Works warrant a payment or salary. Faith produces the “gift” which is made evident in the righteousness of the Lord. Sometimes the seeming failure to obtain an answer to our requests of the Lord is puzzling. Is it possible that we are substituting works for faith? That can only result in abject failure. Implicit trust and confidence in the Lord will produce a response from the Lord. Rom. 4:4-5 We must recognize and ascribe to the Lord the privilege of saying no to our requests. We may be certain of this that He will respond in a manner which is the very best for us. CRUCIFIED 5 THE WORLD IS CRUCIFIED UNTO ME. Blessed words of instruction and challenge. The victory of the Christian life is in being free from the elements of the world that produce bondage. It is evident that death to the things of this world is found by the way of the cross. A personal and living unity with the Lord Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection. Loosed from the bondage of this world. A place of freedom and liberty in the Christ of God. Crucifixion means death. Where we have died to sin there is no more attraction in our hearts to be involved with sin. A dead man cannot be tempted nor made to become a part of any temptation that leads to sin. Life and liberty are in Jesus. Gal. 6:14 The full evidence of Christian character is found in being set free from the old sinful nature with all of its passions and desires. It is possible to change, yes more than that, it is and imperative that there be a different mode of life. There is ample witness of a new life displayed in those who belong to Christ. It is evidenced by the fact that they have set their hearts on the things of the Spirit. Their interest is in knowing and living for the Lord Jesus. The full scope of their interest and hope is concentrated on the heavenly or the spiritual. Col. 3:1-2 YOU ARE DEAD. So, Paul was able to write to the church of the Colossians. This was not a theory with them but an actual part of their Christian life. It is a spiritual status to which every Christian is called. You are not your own. You are the temple, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. He is Holy and cannot associate with that which is impure. Furthermore, you have been purchased with the dearest price ever paid for anything, the precious blood of Jesus. You are not your own, stop, think on that again, you are not your own. Nor in all reality would you want to be if you have really come to know Christ. Life is never more lonely than when outside of the blessing and life of the Lord Jesus. The call of the Spirit is to live a life that is an example of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The whole man, spirit, soul and body when consecrated to Him lives in the might and power of the living God. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 THE REIGN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. It is not capricious to find and expound from the scriptures a life that is lived above the pollution of worldliness. Actually it is the standard that is established for us by the Apostles and the early church. Their experiences in Christ were of such depth and magnitude that they were enabled to live totally consecrated to Christ. They discovered the way of a victorious life was through the cross. They lived it and consequently were “kept” by the power of the Lord. Knowing full well that He was able to keep them from falling - and most wonderful of all, when it would come time to stand before the Lord they would appear before Him, faultless, without any charge laid against them. They had lived His life and not their own. They were assured the victory from day to day as they allowed the Spirit of the Lord to indwell their spirit nature. They experienced the cross, not as a theme but in all reality. Jude 24 CRUCIFIED 6 THE PERSONAL WORDS OF JESUS TO HIS DISCIPLES. Though they were addressed to His immediate followers does not mean that they do not apply today. The opportunity that He granted them is ours in this day as well. The NIV translation makes it an imperative by using the word “must,” as in, he must deny himself. Mt. 16:24 Self denial in this case will yield huge benefits, far greater and beyond any gain that may be derived from participation. A total commitment where the will of Christ is first and uppermost is a necessity to the Christian life. Sacrificing our will to do His will is not a popular doctrine in this day and hour. However, there are those who are doing it and are reaping the blessing of the Lord as a consequence. A life patterned after His will is a blest life. Denial of self has many benefits that may only be gained in this fashion. TAKE UP YOUR CROSS. Immediately we question, what is my cross? Our cross is His cross. Once again we are to be crucified with Him. The circumstances of our lives will be different for each of us but eventually we will all arrive at place and time where we recognize that there is a cross to be carried. Even stronger wording is used by Jesus as recorded in Mt. 10:38 The individual not willing to carry His cross is counted as being “not worthy,” or unsuitable, not deserving of Jesus. He emphasized the point when the young man who was both a politician, a ruler, a keeper of the Law and rich, came to him seeking eternal life. Jesus immediately pointed out the very things that hindered him when He said to him separate yourself from your position and your wealth and follow me. Luke 18:22 Both were disappointed, for Jesus loved him and saw great possibilities in him. The young man, on hearing the call of Jesus was very sad. He missed the mark and for a refusal of consecration to Christ, would lose everything. He would have gained riches [rewards] in heaven that were eternal but refused that to maintain that which was his possession and love. All of which he could not take with him beyond the grave. In the end he lost it all. Luke 18:23-24 HUMAN LIFE AND SPIRITUAL LIFE CONFLICT AND CONTRADICT. The technique of finding ones life is to lose ones life in consecration and surrender to the will and purpose of the Lord, which paradoxically is not a loss but great gain. It is impossible to suffer loss when we are in the perfect will of the Lord. Loss happens when we know and understand the way of the Lord for us and we fail to follow Him. Loss belongs to this temporal life, for without Christ, when we have fulfilled our days on earth we take nothing with us. Contrariwise, as we entwine our life with the life of Christ there is no limit to the treasures that are laid up in heaven. What can we possibly offer as an exchange for eternal life with the Christ of God in the New Heavens and the New Earth? Mt. 16:25-26 The cross is gain. Commitment is eternally profitable. There is a cross waiting to be carried. CRUCIFIED 7 THE SIGN OF THE CRUCIFIED, LOVE NOT THE WORLD. Christians are in this world and like all other human beings are in possession of more or less of its belongings and possessions. However, our attitude toward them makes a great difference. When the things of this life take over and our love, interest and concern is for them only, then they have become idols and items of worship. They possess us rather than we possess them. Jesus defined worldliness as far as goods are concerned when He said that,“ a mans life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 He made this statement as a warning against covetousness or greed. A spirit which can grip the heart of even Christians until it becomes the very motivation of their life. Contentment is found in having our daily needs supplied, not in a super abundance. 1 Tim. 6:8 Timothy also gives a warning about supposing that “gain is godliness” or a sign of spirituality. Those who advocate such ideas are to be avoided and their teaching is to be disregarded. 1 Tim. 6:5 LOVE WHICH VOIDS LOVE. The love of this world and the love of the Father God cannot coexist one with another. It is impossible for the two to become compatible at one and the same time, with one and the same heart. We will love the one and despise the other. John made a strong and straight forward statement by saying that the person who is involved with this world and loves this world is void of the love the Father. 1 John 2:15 We are not left to question as to the scriptural meaning of the world. John enumerated is as being composed of three major elements. The lust of the flesh. The strong cravings of the carnal, animal nature that translate into sins of the flesh. The lust of the eyes. That inward desire to possess the items that the eyes see. It covers a broad spectrum of sinful pleasures which have a special appeal to the gaze and then desire of the beholder. The pride of life. The person who is driven by pride. A motivation that is prevalent in today's world. Boastful, bragging of anything ranging from family to personal accomplishments. In particular the attitude that will be manifest in the antichrist, among other things he will be a braggart, of this you may be assured. These three cover the vast list of the sin of the flesh and of the spirit. These things are not of the Father but originate with the flesh and are activated by the forces of darkness. 1 John 2:16 All these things that are so necessary to the flesh will all vanish and pass away. They are temporal and summon forth but a temporary enjoyment and pleasure. Nothing of this world has any permanency, the pleasures of which we partake only create a desire for more of the same. The heart of man can never be satisfied by the lusts of this world. That which is truly satisfying is found in the Lord Jesus. He is eternal, His joys are everlasting. The work which He accomplished in us is that of the fullness of joy and pleasures that do not fade away. There is no comparison between the happiness and joy that is found in the Lord and that which men so desperately seek in the lusts of this world. 1 John 2:16 CRUCIFIED 8 HOW CLOSELY WILL WE FOLLOW? The members of the body of Christ are a called people. Called to follow Him. Called to be one with Him. As bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh. To be in close proximity with Him. To live in His presence and to have His person living in us. He has left us the perfect example of that which is His desire toward His people. We are to follow in His steps. If we do so, then His life will be lived out in us and the same things that offended in His day will offend in ours. Consequently we will know His sufferings. 1 Pet. 2:21 The challenge of the Word is that if Christ is indeed in us, then it should be displayed in our walk. The real child of the Lord will want to emulate Christ in every aspect of their life. 1 John 2:6 OF EQUAL MEASURE. The sufferings of the Apostle Paul are probably the greatest, at least of all the New Testament saints. He equated them all to the category of suffering for Christ. When writing of them he consistently maintained a positive attitude toward his sufferings and saw that in them all he saw the purpose of the Lord. He recognized the fact that due to the abundance of the revelation of Christ given to him, there was a price to be paid. Always the sufferings were balanced out with an equal measure of the blessing of the Lord. 2 Cor. 12:7 The Lord will not allow the suffering to out measure the blessing. That is why Paul said, that the sufferings of Christ abound [what a measure] in us, so our consolations abound by Christ Jesus. The Lord is merciful and will always recompense evil with good, if we would just look for it and recognize it. 2 Cor. 1:6 IS IT A STRANGE DESIRE? Paul expressed a strong longing to know Christ, to really know Him in a very intimate manner. It was not a casual thought that he was expressing but one that came from the depths of his spiritual being. Is it possible that any true born again Christian has never come to such an expression of an inner craving to know Christ in a different way. In the fullness of His beauty and majesty. Paul said it, “That I might know Him.” He recognized the fact that to really know Christ he would have to thoroughly understand and experience His sufferings. That sounds strange coming from a man who suffered as much as he did for the cause of Christ, but he understood that there was more to come. The driving factor for him was that he might know the power of the resurrection and that it might be manifest in his life. In other words, that he might partake of the present power enjoyed by the Lord Jesus. The completeness of power. The might of eternal life. The ability to be with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. The Lord had instilled in Paul a vision that was beyond the day in which he was living. That of a people who have totally entered into the life of Christ. In Bible language known as the body of Christ or the Bride of Christ. A people so transformed by the depths of their experience in Christ that they are living His life through their own mortal bodies and have touched the power of His resurrection. Phil. 3:10 CRUCIFIED 9 TREASURE STORED IN JARS OF CLAY. Common, ordinary clay pots used for the most practical of purposes in daily life. Yet, filled with a treasure of such great value that its worth cannot be assessed by the monetary systems of this world. The treasure is spiritual and eternal originating from the “Father of lights.” It is the light of the one who is very light itself. It is the knowledge and revelation of the eternal glory of the Lord Himself as it is revealed in the Lord Jesus. Amazingly, the Lord has chosen to store such a priceless treasure in His people. WE HAVE this treasure, we are in possession of and are the storage place of the most valuable commodity in the universe and of time or eternity. Who among us has not had day dreams of going to an exotic island and finding pirate treasures. Eureka, we have found the greatest treasure of all in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord has purposely chosen these vessels as containers of His riches that He might display His exceeding great power in protecting and preserving both His treasure and the vessel. 2 Cor. 4:6-7 THE PROCESS AND THE PRESERVATION. Living a Christian life is not the simplest, the easiest thing to do, but it is the most blessed by far. Paul wrote to Timothy warning him that to live after a Christlike manner is to elicit persecution and he is very emphatic in his declaration. 2 Tim. 3:12 Paul gave us a brief list of things faced by those who would follow the Lord, and the limitation of their effect. TROUBLED. To be hard pressed, like being in the midst of a crowd of humanity all of whom are pushing. Surrounded by pressure. The feeling of being in a situation from which there is no escape. Sound familiar? But we are not DISTRESSED. Brought to a place where there is no solution. Overcome by calamity. The Lord will always provide a way of escape. One of the marvels of the life of Jesus was His ability to just simple walk through a boisterous crowd who were thronging Him and escape. PERPLEXED. To come to a place where there seems to be no way out. A complete loss of ideas or thoughts which may provide a solution. At times like this we lean hard on the Lord and realize that ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love the Lord. But we are not in DESPAIR. A place or time where there is no solution. The Lord has an answer. We do not come to a place of utter despondency. PERSECUTED. But Jesus is always present with us, so, we realize that we are not FORSAKEN, under any circumstance. CAST DOWN. Thrown down, perhaps greatly discouraged. But not DESTROYED. In our Christian walk we will experience many situations such as Paul mentioned here but we are more than conquerors through Christ who gave Himself for us and loves us with an everlasting love. No power of darkness can ever rob us of the presence of the Lord whom we love and serve. 2 Cor. 4:8-9 CRUCIFIED 10 WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD. Regardless of how many times this title or position has been misused and subsequently maligned, the fact still remains that there are those who belong to the Lord and consequently are the children of God. Rom. 8:16 Those who have been born of the Spirit have been adopted into the family of the Lord. They have full rights and have the privilege of calling the Lord their Father. Rom. 8:15 Paul leaves no question as to his purpose of recognizing the redeemed as, “the children of the living God.” Rom. 9:26 John called them the “children of God,” while stating that their ability to love one another is the sign of their sonship. 1 John 3:10 Where we were servants of sin, now we are elevated to the rank of that of a son and consequently and heir of God, through the Lord Jesus. All that He is we are to inherit to share and share alike with the Lord Jesus. What a blessedness. Gal. 4:7 Inasmuch as we have been born of the Spirit into the family of the Lord we belong to Christ and are, spiritually of the seed of Abraham. Now, we are the recipients of the divine promises given by the Lord to the Father of all who believe, that is Abraham. Gal. 3:29 HOW BE IT, THERE IS A PRICE TO BE PAID. “If so be that we suffer with Him.” Note it is His suffering that we are to share, not sickness or loss of well-being. Jesus suffered, rejection, opposition and subsequently, the ultimate, crucifixion. Sharing with Him. coming to a comprehension of the fullness of His sufferings we are made to be heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, having an equal share in His divine inheritance. Rom. 8:17 With the final intent that Christ, Gentile and Jew all born of the Spirit and the Word are treated equally and become fellow-heirs as well as being all of the same body. None of which are involved in this blessedness because of natural birth or race, but because they are washed in the blood of Christ. Furthermore they are all partakers of the Promises of the Lord. Eph. 3:6 Paul, who went through the deepest of trials and suffering accounted them to be but a light affliction lasting but for a moment of time. He chose to focus on the benefit of his experiences of which he said that it yielded "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory". What a contrast, his tribulations, though extensive were light and momentary. Fading into insignificance in contrast to the tremendous force and glory of the Spirit which was manifest in his life. The revelation of His glory so far exceeds the hurt of the trials that the pain of the things suffered are easily passed over, that which remains are the lessons learned, which are of great benefit to our spiritual man. The Lord has called His people to be the participants of the eternal glory that is revealed in the Lord Jesus. There is a process that all must go through in order to find our proper place in the body of Christ. The Lord knows the nature of each of His children and will deal with them accordingly. His aim is perfection in the total man. That we might be established in the Lord in strength and perfection. Settled, established on the rock Christ Jesus. 1 Pet. 5:10 CRUCIFIED 11 THE REWARD OF SUFFERING WITH HIM. With every adversity there is the joy of victory. Along with the fellowshipping of the sufferings of Christ are the many compensations with which the sufferer is rewarded. Not the least of which is to be glorified with Him. In the Christian's deepest experiences with Christ is that knowledge that we are “glorified together” with Him, which involves being where He is, being what He is, sharing and sharing alike in equal portions. Rom. 8:17c To a great excess, the church today is seeking after the possessions of this life as a sign of the blessings of the Lord. They refute and reject the warnings of the Word of the Lord, ”supposing that gain is godliness, from such withdraw thyself.” 1 Tim. 6:5c As a consequence they miss the true blessing of the Lord, which is true godliness with contentment and is of great gain in the sight of the Lord. 1 Tim. 6:6 It is the hidden man of the heart, [the Christ of God, in us] which is of great value in the sight of the Lord. 1 Pet. 3:3 PREDESTINED. To be conformed to the exact, the precise image of His son, the Lord Jesus Christ. In His exact foreknowledge, the ability of knowing fully before hand. A complete understanding of all that would take place in the history of man and of earthly events. As well as a complete comprehension of all and every event that would take place from conception to death in the life of every person who would be born on earth. Were it not so He would not be the Lord of heaven and earth. He did not preset or predetermine the life pattern or life style of each person, but possessing the knowledge of how events and lives would play out He resolved that it should be so. The strength and aim of predestination is in that which is the ultimate and that is to be conformed to the image of His Son. Simply stated it is to be like Jesus, in every aspect of our being. To have His life lived in us, in holiness, in conformity, in power and in ministry. Not an imitation, but an exact likeness and image. Conjoined until we are one with Christ. Bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh. THE PROCESS BEGINS WITH A CALLING. Further progress will depend on the response of the individual to the call. In the calling the Lord has not especially chosen some to the exclusion of others. Jesus said, “He would draw all men.” John 12:32 He has “commanded all men every where to repent.” Acts 17:30 He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Pet. 3:9 The will of the Lord in salvation is blatantly apparent. Those responding to His call are justified. Made to be right and just in the eyes of the Lord. Their sin is fully, completely forgiven and blotted out of the memory of the Lord. Then the blessedness of predestination, the goal of the Lord for His church. A glorified church, radiant with the everlasting, brilliant, shining light of the eternal being who is the true LORD of heaven and earth. Everyone who is called, who is justified, is predestined to be made like unto the Lord of glory, some sooner than others. CRUCIFIED 12 APOSTOLIC ANTICIPATION. The early church expected and experienced death to the flesh. The carnal man was to be put to death by the waters of baptism and by the purging fire of the Holy Spirit. Jesus indicated that a portion of the working of the Spirit upon His arrival in the lives of the believers was to “thoroughly purge” the threshing floor of the Lord. Creating a separation between the chaff and the wheat. Gathering the wheat and burning the chaff. This is a process that is carried on in the church universally and also in the spiritual life of the individual. The working of the Lord in our lives will create great changes in our conduct and life style. Luke 3:17 Prophetically, the church in the end of the age will face tremendous purging, either by persecution, which will cause people either to desert the Lord or seek Him in a desperate fashion. Malachi gave us a prophetic utterance by presenting the Lord as a silver or goldsmith who would refine and purify the Levites, those who worship Him. Intense heat is used to separate the dross from these precious metals. We will face the heat either in the church by the operation of the fire of the Spirit or in the world, by the fire of persecution. Mal. 3:3 THE GODLY. A segment of the church, the church within the church which believes in and abides by the teaching of the scriptures in relationship to true holiness and a life totally dedicated to the Lord. This class of people have found that persecution not only originates from the world but also from fellow members of the body of Christ. For example consider Judas. Acts 1:16-17 Jesus spoke of that opposition which arises from those who are close to the persecuted and even from the nearest of loved ones. Luke 21:16 Paul is very emphatic that they “shall” suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12 We would like to think that in an age of enlightenment, so called, that such actions would cease but they have not nor will they. “NO” TO UNGODLINESS. So is the work of grace in our lives as we commit our lives unto the Lord. Worldly passions and all that is involved with the sin and iniquity of this world are to be laid aside. The Lord is capable of helping us to live a life controlled by the Word and the Spirit. A life which is an example of the righteousness befitting those who claim to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11 NIV. We are also warned that men of evil deeds and seditious works will increase abundantly, particularly in the last days. While they themselves are deceived they will produce greater and more extensive works of deception than ever before. 2 Tim. 3:13 There is a move on hand to lull the church into an area of belief where they feel that nothing adverse can take place in their lives. Do not be deceived, though it is not a popular doctrine or idea the church of this generation will know opposition and persecution as no other generation have know. Open your eyes to what is happening in Asia, China, Africa and the Middle East. Persecution is rampant. It is high time to awaken from our sleep. CRUCIFIED 13 PAUL PLACED GREAT VALUE IN THE CROSS. He gloried in the cross as the source of salvation. The redemption from our sins that we find in the atonement which was finished by the Lord Jesus at His crucifixion. He recognized a wondrous work of deliverance accomplished in his own life for he could say, “the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world.” Gal. 6:14 The spiritual transformation wrought in the life of the Apostle Paul was tremendous. From one who resisted and fought against Christ he became one who championed the Christ. The secret of the mighty anointing and authority that was his is found in his consecration, his full commitment to the life of Christ. He separated himself from the elements of the world and was totally dedicated to the cause of the gospel. PAUL'S GOAL. His ambitions which were once to protect and preserve the Law were completely altered once he became acquainted with the Lord Jesus. As far as the things that count in this world, that is, the aims and desires which are cherished by so many, Paul lost them all. He said, “What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” Phil. 3:7 So mighty, so through was his conversion that he reckoned his worldly loss to be a minor thing. The immensity of his loss can be understood in his inclusion of “all things.” Phil. 3:8 His goal had become of far greater value than any loss he had suffered. There is no higher purpose in the Christian life than that which he expressed. That was to come to the “excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” His desire was to excel in his comprehension of the Christ. To achieve a full and supreme knowledge of Christ. A hunger, a strong desire that should be in the heart and bosom of every true believer in Christ. However well we may feel we know Him, there is yet much more to know about Him. Any loss suffered in serving Christ is inconsequential in light of the revelation of the Son of God which is gained. Nothing in this world can be counted equal to what is gained when we follow the Lord Jesus. In light of the exchange that had taken place, what he had lost he now considered but refuse, easily cast off, that he might gain Christ. Phil. 3:8 Can we today feel as Paul felt? We must have the same strong craving of heart and spirit. That we might be ” found in Him.” Phil. 3:9 To be in Christ, living His life, being overwhelmed by the power of His spirit. To know the depths of His embrace and love. Living the life of righteousness that is a result of the complete manifestation of His life demonstrated through those who really trust in and follow Him. There is a secret place of the Most High and the invitation of the Spirit is to be heard inviting His people to enter into that blessed place where Christ is all in all. He is seeking a bride. She will not be of a lukewarm, half hearted, casual Christian make up. She will know the very depths of being crucified with Christ. She will be a participant in the fullness of His intimate love. Her knowledge and understanding of all that Christ is will be complete. She will know Him as no other group of people have ever known Him. CRUCIFIED 14 CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST, NEVERTHELESS I LIVE. The purpose of a full and complete surrender to Christ is to be one with Him in His crucifixion, and more so, one with Him in His life. His eternal life begins in us now. Jesus said, “He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life.” John 5:24 That is a possession and an assurance that belongs to every believer. If you have been born of the Spirit you have everlasting life. Furthermore, Jesus stated that they have, "passed from death unto life." It is most vital that the church recognize the full implication of life in Christ that is available. John later, in writing his first Epistle, was to give an indication of one evidence of that new life and that was love. It is easy to love the Lord, He has done so much for us and is so good to us. The test in the household of faith is a love for the brethren. We have a broad spectrum of characteristics manifest by the brethren, some of them are not conducive to love. John placed an either/or situation before us if we do not love our brother, even the troublesome, obstinate, grace growers; the love of the Lord is not in us. Real love is to love the unlovely, with a love that is akin to the love of the Lord. 1 Jn. 3:14 An evidence then of having passed from death to life is to love the Lord with all of our heart and our brother as our self. Love the lost, love the kind loving brethren and most certainly the unruly. A task, but remember we are to walk in His love. DIVINE REQUIREMENTS OF HIS LOVE. Conflict is a way of life on this earth. Protest, even violence seems to prevail on every issue. That spirit can slip into the life of the believer if we are not careful. There will be issues and problems creating hurts and leaving strong (and sometimes bitter) emotions. These may form attitudes and passions that lead to a dislike or even a hatred. John said, “We love the brethren” unequivocally. To have any feelings that border on, or even hint of hatred is comparable to murder. Strong words, John, but true. 1 John 3:16 Then John went even further and stripped away every excuse that we might make by recalling the works of the Lord Jesus and how willing He was to lay down His life for us, while we were still His enemies. Now, the ultimate test, true God-like love will go so far as to be willing to lay down its life for the brethren, good or bad. Whether we like them or not. [A situation which should never exist]. 1 John 3:17 What a contrast to human nature. The real love of the Lord will be more than willing to reach out to those in the body of Christ and be willing to assist in what ever way possible. This is practical love, yet it is tough love for it goes against the grain of our human nature. 1 John 3:17 Love is made manifest in works of love rather than with words uttered by the tongue. What is easy to speak is not always so easy to fulfill. 1 John 3:18 For the fleshly character of man, this is difficult to accomplish. But, for the Spiritual man it is a joy and great blessing to do the will of the Lord and to reap its blessings. CRUCIFIED 15 FOR YE ARE DEAD. In Christianeze *, the word “dead” has a two fold meaning. There is that person or church which is dead spiritually. An indication that there is not much spiritual activity or life being manifest. On the other hand, there is the meaning of being dead with Christ, which oddly enough is a sign which will produce a strong and deep spiritual life. It is the result of that which has been our theme, being crucified with Christ. It is here that we begin to enter into the glorious moving of the Spirit and our life is no longer one of satisfying our desires but His. The person who has died to the flesh will find his life to be hid with Christ in God. Col. 3:3 BENEFITS. LIVING WATERS. Those who are dead with Christ are they who drink of the water of life which is in the Lord Jesus. He is the fountain head, the source of an abundant and continuos flow of the Spirit of the Lord. He has promised to make each and every one who is committed to Him to be a veritable artesian well with a constant flow of the Spirit [water] springing up as a source of life. John 4:14 FREEDOM AND LIBERTY. We are now made to be partakers of, and caused to live under a new law. This is a spiritual law and in no way does it create bondage but just the opposite, a liberty that can only be found as the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” is followed. The Law of Moses, termed the law of sin and death because it exposed sin without providing a way of deliverance, could not produce the spiritual work desired. It was a law of animal sacrifice that was only able to appease the Lord. It could not bring about the necessary work which would bring its adherents into a true and intimate fellowship with the Lord. Rom. 8:2 WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST. What a treasure. The scriptures do not make false promises. Whatever the Lord has promised He will fulfill. The natural man, the carnal, the non-spiritual, are unable to receive the truth and veracity of the Word. It is hidden from them. They are only earthly minded and have no comprehension of the workings of the Spirit of the Lord. Spiritual things are foolishness to them for the realm of the Spirit is vastly different from this world. 1 Cor. 2:14 Consequently those who are mindful of the Spirit are benefited by knowing and possessing the same thought pattern as that found in the Lord Jesus Christ, for we walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. 1 Cor 2:16 The mind and will of the Lord is recorded and revealed in His Word. All that we need to know concerning Him and His plan of the ages is contained in His Word. Paul wrote of his comprehension of the mysteries of Christ and of the Word. As we approach the end of the age we may anticipate a deeper and fuller revelation of the Word of the Lord. Eph. 3:3-5 * Christianeze, language used by Christians having special meaning. incomplete 09:01 3/07/2004