FREEDOM OF THE CROSS

[FAITH]

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me;  anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;  and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds His life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - Matthew 10:37-39

 

Many believe for Jesus' salvation but never walk in the total freedom of the cross.

In the New Testament, "kairos" means ' the appointed time in the purpose of God", the time when God acts;  for example in Mark 1:15:  "And saying, ' The time (kairos) is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent and believe the gospel.'"

 

DIVINE IMPARTATION FOR STRENGTH

 

In Luke 22:43 after Jesus had resolved within His own heart for the Father's will to be done in His life, we see that "An angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him." 

It is possible for us to be granted a divine impartation of strength to embrace the cross today. 

If we are to achieve anything in our lives that bears eternal fruit, we must first deny ourselves and embrace the cross (God's PURPOSE for our lives) just as Christ Jesus modeled for us.

The anointing to embrace the cross (God's CALLING on our life) involves prayer, sanctification, and intimacy with God. There is no alternative way to embrace the cross.

In Matthew 27:32 Simon the Cyrenian was "compelled to bear His cross."

Is Jesus calling us to do the same today?

 

COMPELLED TO BEAR OUR CROSS

 

Matthew 27:32 - "Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name:  Him they compelled to bear His cross."

 

"Compelled (Greek: Aggareuo, Strongs 29) literally translated -- to be pressed into public service or compelled to "go".

The word for "bear" (Greek; Airo, Strong's 142), literal translation -- to take up or to take away.

The call is still true for us today just as it was for Simon the Cyrenian.  To "take up our cross" we must come to the place of death.  We must die to ourselves and to our worldly dreams and fully embrace the plans and blueprints that God has written for us in heaven.

When Simon and Jesus took the cross to Calvary, "they were come (together) unto a place called Golgotha" (Matthew 27:33).

Prophetically, Simon the Cyrenian represents each of us:

We must all come to the place of the cross and die to our agendas and carnal thoughts for our lives and ministries. 

We must allow the Father's purpose for our life (our Christ calling) to be manifested in our lives.

We must all come to our own personal Golgothas.\

Just as Jesus was with the Cyrenian, He will be with each of us at the time and place of our personal death to self.

"Jesus then said to his disciples, 'If anyone wishes to be a follower of mine, he must leave self behind; he must take up his cross and come with me.  Whoever cares for his own safety is lost;  but if a man will let himself be lost for my sake, he will find his true self.'" - Mattthew 16:24-25 NEB

 

COMING UNDER ATTACK

 

The enemy of our soul does not want us to embrace the Cross of Christ.  The warfare can be tremendous for us as we embrace the cross (death to self).

When we approach the place of surrender and death to self we will also come under attack from the evil one.  Fortunately, Jesus has already fought this battle for each of us. 

The enemy will bellow and scream at us every time we fall short.  When we fail to fully embrace the cross, he will illuminate our shortcomings. 

Picking up our cross is a process.  If we fall down -- get up just as Jesus did.  Emulate Christ -- dying to yourself and worldly dreams is a process.  Even the Son of God walked through this process. 

It takes time and intimacy with the Lord -- laying down our life is a process.

"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."  - Luke 14:27

Taking up your cross is not a popular message.  When Jesus shared this message,  many left Him, and later reviled and cursed Him.  The message of the cross was one reason why Jesus was beaten, afflicted, smote, reviled spit on, crucified, and killed.

When we die to manmade methods, ideas, and formulas, and begin to truly minister in the pattern of heaven,  only then can we begin to bear fruit that remains for God's Kingdom.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

https://afministry.ning.com/