The gospel is supposed to first beat us down.
Until we give up on ourselves (message of gloom, the cross) we cannot appreciate the blessed Good News of mankind’s only hope, Christ (and us) raised from the dead and up to glory. He is our assured hope! As we die daily to self (humility) He moves in and gives us a foretaste (experience) of His resurrection (victory, light and joy) and ascension out of the muck and mire of this perverted and crooked world we live in.
I once read where a good Gospel preacher is supposed to “afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.”
Read Psalms 22 which foreshadows His death down thru v21 or 22. Then, it starts back up into our LORD’s and our resurrection ascension and glory.
The only way to exaltation is thru humiliation.
Read Philippians 2:3-11. The reduction of the proud human ego must transpire in order for God to raise that cross-participating saint upward.
The only way to the high mountain of Heaven is thru the low valley of death with Christ.
He said, take up the cross daily and follow Me (Luke 9:23-24). He was saying follow Me thru death and gloom all the way to the light of the top of heaven. The proud human ego is the single root of all the problem in this world. It is inherent in all of us as descendents of Adam (Romans 5:18-19). This Old Self has to be killed. See Romans 6:6. Only thru the Holy Spirit, which brings to and into us the killing power of the cross, can we enter into His joy, peace and rest and freedom from Satan’s power. Study Romans 8:13-14.
Prayer: Father, I beg You to beat me down so that You can raise me up for Your eternal glory both now and eternally! I love You Jesus!
Sign up here to begin receiving the Moments with My Master email sent out 2-3 times weekly to edify Christ’s people.
Comments are closed.