Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me

God cannot use any man or woman who is full of self. If any man can be used of God, such a person will come in terms with the Lord on this crucial subject. When you say no to self, you must at the same time take up your cross, then follow Him.

What Is The Cross?

The cross is God's instrument for terminating the natural life, i.e, the self-life in the flesh
(Galatians 2:20)

The cross is the symbol and public identification mark for the crucifixion and death of the old man, the flesh. (Romans 6:1-2)

The cross is the doorway into a life of spiritual and physical prosperity

The cross is also God's instrument for rendering the devil impotent. It nullifies the ground on which the devil can attack us (Colossians 2:13-15)

Life in the spirit begins at the cross because it is only a dead man that can resurrect (Galatians 2:20,Romans 6:5-7). The point where the natural life terminates is where the spiritual life begins. The point of death is the point of resurrection.

The cross isolates us from the world so that we may be able to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit with liberty (Galatians 6:14,17, 1John 2:15-16)
We must allow the cross to work on our lives because the life crucified at the cross is not only dead to the world. Everything that is in the world also becomes crucified, dead, and rendered useless to us. We therefore lose taste for the world and all that are in it.

NOTE:

The cross is not sickness

The cross is not a deformity or an infirmity
(1corinthians 1:18,Numbers 21:5-9)

God does not give people sickness as their cross, rather all these terminate at the cross

The cross is not a physical ornament for decorating the body, nor the symbol for ceremonial purposes (1Corinthians 1:18-23)

Using the cross in the ways mentioned above robs it of its power.

Daily Application Of The Cross

Daily application of the cross reminds us of the death of the flesh everyday in order to be free every day to serve God (Romans 6:6-7)

We should see our rottenness and be tired of it, this is how we apply and experience the cross (Romans 7:8-15, 1Corinthians 15:31)

You must recognize yourself as dead (Colossians 3:3)

We were in Him when He was crucified, therefore, His death became our death. It is credited to my account and yours. Count yourself dead. You are dead. This is the truth. Not that you will die physically, but it denotes that your flesh and human nature has been done away with and rendered impotent. Self is no more your master. Begin to live a resurrected life!

Declare it daily in your dealings with the world (Galatians 6:14, Hebrews 13:13)

Prove the life of Christ within (Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:4)

Set your mind on the things above
(Colossians 3:1-2, Romans 8:5)
Your desire now is to do what the Holy Spirit tells you to do, So set your mind on things above.

Live only for Jesus from now on (2Corinthians 5:15, Romans 14:7-9)
Let there be no vacuum in your life for there is no vacuum in nature. If you allow for vaccum, The flesh will creep in. Christ must be magnified is us always (Philippians 1:20-21)

Conclusion

The cross is the instrument in God's wisdom for dealing with the flesh (the enemy within) and the devil (the enemy without). By the cross, the power and the hold of SELF-LIFE over us is broken. By it also Satan, principalities and powers have been rendered useless. God did all these for us in order that we might be free to serve Him in spirit and in truth.
We are to serve him without fear, but in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.
From now on, wherever we go and whatever we do is not only to earn a living, but is our services to the Lord.

No more fear of death or the future, we are the Lord's property. Everything you have is His. He bought us with a price. We have no other duty here on earth other than to glorify and honour Christ.
Beware not to do any job or thing that Christ can never be honoured and don't be where you cannot boldly live for Christ.

It time to take up your cross daily and follow after the footsteps of the father!
Live for Him and remain ever blessed!

Shalom!

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