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Monday,
June 23, 2008
A Spiritual Crossroad
Romans 6:3-7 Know ye not, that so many of
us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4)
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ
was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in
the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his
resurrection: (6) 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. (7) For he that is dead is freed from sin. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for
‘likeness’:
3667
homoioma- what has been made after the likeness of something
a) a figure, a image, a likeness, a
representation
b) likeness that is, resemblance, such as
amounts almost to equality or identity
When we see the word ‘likeness’ we are
now looking at something that is a representation, a resemblance, something
that took place in the physical but now has spiritual meaning. Basically
when looking at baptism and its true meaning we see it more as a continual
process, not just some ritual where one gets dunked then goes merrily on
their way. If you were to hold someone under water for an extended period
of time it would eventually lead to death, drowning the physical which in
turn would release the spirit from the body. In essence this is what Paul
is making reference to, similar to the Old Testament sacrifices that were killed,
which then released the spirit. When a believer immerses themselves in the
living waters and remains in that realm the flesh, or as Paul described our
old man, dies so that the Spirit can be released and take over. Another way
the seed is planted, which our seed is Christ, is in the likeness of his
death which was by crucifixion. In order for our Lord to resurrect and be
seated at the right hand of the Father He had to go to the cross, which not
only happened in the outward but also took place in the inward. In order
for us to obtain our eternal inheritance we to have to die to self in the
same fashion as our Lord did; however ours takes place in the spiritual
realm.
Luke 9:22-25 Saying, The Son of man must
suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and
scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. (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. (24) For whosoever will save his life shall
lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save
it. (25) For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose
himself, or be cast away? (KJV)
As our Lord was preparing to fulfill His
calling and pay the price for mankind. He was also describing the same
baptism Paul was describing in Romans 6, how each and every believer in
Christ would have to take up their own cross on a daily basis in order to
inherit their reward. As painful and excruciating as it was to drive nails
into the body, it also subdued the body and kept it in subjection. Things
in your life that you thought were gain, which were worldly, are now nailed
to a spiritual cross and brought into subjection to the Spirit so that you
won’t be lost or cast away from your inheritance. Now the question becomes
‘how many are willing to follow our Lord, even as far as the cross’? We
hear so many speak of baptism, but so few speak of the true spiritual
baptism that brings new life to the believer by leaving their old life
buried. Just as similar as it was in the time of our Lord, when it comes
time to die many run for cover and scramble, even denying the Lord by
rejecting the truth of what He is asking of His people; to take up their
own cross. Every believer in Christ comes to their own crossroad, a time
when the Lord says we need to nail down an area of the flesh that is
hindering our walk so that the Spirit can take over. Sad to say this where
many draw the line and look for another way out, which the enemy is glad to
show them an alternate route which ends up to be a dead end. When you are
facing your own trial like our Lord did in the garden of Gethsemane, in the
end will you let the Lord’s will be done or will you walk away?
Philippians 3:17-19 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.) (KJV)
The cross of Christ is spiritual in
nature, a doctrine that speaks of crucifying the flesh and its desires
rather than pampering it and justifying the lower fallen nature. As I look
around today and listen to man’s doctrines, they mostly speak of the world
and seek their gain in this realm rather than looking deeper into the
spiritual realm to seek and please our Heavenly Father. The phrase “if it
feels good do it” no longer works for those in Christ, but rather they have
come to the knowledge that the flesh and Spirit are contrary one to the
other. A house divided will fall, so being the fact that you are the temple
of the living God it would be in your best interest to keep your temple in
subjection to the Spirit.
John 6:24-27 When the people therefore
saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took
shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. (25) And when they had
found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when
camest thou hither? (26) Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I
say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye
did eat of the loaves, and were filled. (27) Labour not for the meat which
perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which
the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
(KJV)
What is your motive for serving the Lord
and why are you seeking Him? Is it truly to do His will or are you looking
to get a belly full? Like with many politicians today, many so called
preachers promise liberty and a better life in the physical however they
ignore the spiritual and the true meaning of the scriptures and leave the
people starving for lack of nourishment. As meat is a good source of
protein for the physical body, spiritual meat is a definite requirement for
the Spirit man if one is going to truly grow and mature in the Lord. Are
you seeing the eternal meaning and intention of the scriptures and what
they truly represent or are like so many carnal babies that think dunking
people in water has any real substance? Remember, the things that are seen
are temporal, it’s the unseen spiritual which is eternal and will endure to
the end, will you?
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