THE CROSS: A SYMBOL OF DOMINION OVER THE FLESH V

1 Cor. 3:3-4, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” Every manifestation of carnality is the work of the flesh. Apostle Paul was writing to the Church and not unbelievers. All divisions in the Church are as a result of the flesh.

Christ has done his part, we need to apply it. Crucifixion is painful but there is no shortcut to a crucified life for anyone who wants to be in the bride of Christ. If you want to be in the bride of Christ, the crucified way is the way – the way of the cross.

Rom. 6:6-12, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. for he that is dead is freed from sin. now, if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” I will never serve sin again. The old man is crucified.

How do you deal with the flesh? The cross! There is a crushing anointing that flows from the cross where Mr flesh is crushed on a once for all basis.

Crucifixion is painful. I Pet. 4:1-4, “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banqueting, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.”

The moment you set yourself apart to live the crucified life, the world around you will speak evil of you. Many Christians find it difficult to come to terms with that. They find it difficult to turn their back on what the world has to offer and embrace the real life. When you neglect that crowd that is on their way to hell and welcome the true Church of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, you will find a heavenly community. This is what the Church is supposed to be. Parties cannot satisfy.

There cannot be freedom without crucifixion. Anyone who has not cut off from the world is not ready to be in the bride of Christ. Jesus is not coming for those in the world; he is coming for those with the word – a brand new culture, a new community, a heavenly community, a new realm. That is what the true Church is supposed to be. A place of transformation and a place for the transformed on their way to heaven, no more bound by the fear of death. No more bound by the fear of condemnation but those who are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. That is what the Church is supposed to be. The key remains God’s own prescription – the cross.

Pray –

• Father, please do not allow me to chase shadow and miss heaven in the name of Jesus. Keep me connected to the cross, keep me glued to the cross. Take me to the cross even when I am being drawn away, Lord, pull me back to the cross in the name of Jesus. Have mercy on me in Jesus name.
• Lord, please deliver your Church from error. Let there be a revival and restoration of the cross. Deliver every archbishop, bishop, apostle, prophet, minister, pastor and every church leader that has drifted from the cross. Lord, help us. Let revival start in your Church in Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen!