THE WAY OF THE CROSS
Text: Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (FOR MANY WALK, OF WHOM I HAVE TOLD YOU OFTEN, AND NOW TELL YOU EVEN WEEPING, THAT THEY ARE THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST:
19 WHOSE END IS DESTRUCTION, WHOSE GOD IS THEIR BELLY, AND WHOSE GLORY IS IN THEIR SHAME, WHO MIND EARTHLY THINGS.)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
When JESUS CHRIST our Saviour was teaching, He declared “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, and follow me” Luke 9:23, invariably pointing to the fact that the way of the cross is a way that required determination, concentration and ability to stay put irrespective of whatsoever may be. He Himself came to bear the pains and sufferings of the cross for us in order to redeem us back to GOD and in fact, He almost let it slipped off it but for the fact that He was born to save mankind from their sins Matthew 1:21, He went through it all to the end.
Today, many supposed Christians who claimed that they are the disciples of JESUS CHRIST are truly enemies of the cross as Apostle Paul stated above. Many today affirmed that they are Christians but their Christianity is only the fact that they have fat bank accounts, expensive suits and shoes, large congregation of members, access to the authorities in the land and as such, they concluded that this is what Christianity entails. In fact they’ve gone even into believing that the acquisition of material things is the supreme right of a Christian. Wherefore, they will never align themselves to the way of the cross which is a narrow way only discovered by FEW Matthew 7:14.
JESUS CHRIST being GOD have the power to avoid the way of the cross, but he chose to go through it hence the Bible says “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him ENDURED THE CROSS, DESPISING THE SHAME, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2, for it is a shameful thing to be hanged on a tree as punishment especially when He suffered for the wrong He didn’t commit John 1:29. He died a cursed death for your redemption and my redemption. “Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” Galatians 3:13.
Brethren, the way of the cross is the way that swallows up your will into the WILL of GOD. Luke 22:42 “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Many a time pride is the ruler in our lives. We have certainly refused to humble ourselves before GOD hence the words, instructions and directives of our pastors are today held in high esteem against the supreme word of GOD. Many people that claimed that they are walking on the way of the cross are actually walking on the broad way to destruction as they usually challenge the authority of the Bible due to their pastor’s admonitions. When you present to them the hidden truth of the infallible word of GOD, they will quickly tell you that ‘my pastor said’. Is it your pastor that authored the Bible? Did your pastor died for you? Was the blood of your pastor shed for your redemption? Does your pastor have the key to eternal life? Indeed many of the supposed Christians walking on the way of the cross will shout their pastor’s name in hell but it will be too late for you to make amendment there.
The way of the cross is the way that displeases the flesh but pleases the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Most people today are not ready to yield to the Spirit hence they are still struggling with the things of the world in pleasing their flesh. The Bible says “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:8. With the attires of harlotry on you and the properties of Satan and Jezebel hanging all over your body, you cannot please GOD in this regard. Yes, you are a church member, you are a worker in the church, you are a church founder and in fact, you are a miracle performing pastor. All these things are only service without reward because GOD does not actually know you despite doing wonders in His name. Matthew 7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
I implore you by the love of GOD, if you are truly walking on the way of the cross, you must be pure and cleaned up inside and outside. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh (outside) and spirit (inside), perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1, and “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1. This is to guarantee you a place in heaven where CHRIST had gone to prepare John 14:1-3.
The way of the cross is not for pretenders. You must be born again, washed and sanctified truly if you must walk on this way 2 Timothy 2:21. This way requires total, complete obedience and submission to the word of GOD to succeed thereby. Are you obeying all the word of GOD? Are you sure that CHRIST is born in you? Your fruits will surely tell what sort you are. Matthew 7:16 “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Have you considered the shame, pain, agony, despair, rejection, humiliation, scourge, brutality, injustice and suffering that CHRIST suffered for your sin? Have you considered the priceless blood of JESUS CHRIST that was shed for your redemption on the cross? Do you want all these things that CHRIST did for you to be in vain? Certainly not!
Therefore amend your ways today and accept the LORD JESUS CHRIST into your life as your LORD and personal saviour, walk on the way of the cross till the end of your life, and it shall be well with your soul.
Shalom!
