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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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