I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! [Philippians 3.10-11]
On this date in 2023, I wrote What Is Your Goal In Life? As I re-read that article today, I recognized the profundity of what it says - of what is being transformed in my life. God is helping me build upon what was said there...
As long as we are fixated on "living," we are NOT fixated on our cross. And, quite frankly, if we are not fixated on the cross, we cannot even get to Christ.
Now, the reason most people find it difficult to fixate on the cross (to get to Christ) is because they have not (or will not) fixate on giving up their own way - the way of idolatry - trusting the ways and means of man instead of God.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]
Failure to give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Jesus is not however seen as innocent complacency in God's eyes. Look carefully in the passage below to see what failure to follow Jesus really makes us:
Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. [Philippians 3.17-21]
Will we continue to sheepishly bow down to the expensive idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology making ourselves enemies of the cross of Christ? What if we said, "No more!"? What if we chose to "suffer" regarding the earthly quality of life these idols promise and said, "I want only what my faith in God alone obtains!" What if we are so fixated on Christ that whether it is resurrection life on earth or resurrection life in heaven - we want Christ only to be seen in us? What if we, like Paul, said:
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! [Philippians 3.10-11]
We must give up on the costly idols (the ways and means of man) for this to happen. Regardless what well-meaning Christians may say, Christ is not seen in debt, insurance, medicine and technology. Jesus never sent anyone to the doctor for healing or to the bank for a loan. Jesus never put a soul in financial burden but instead demanded they give up all to follow Him.
We are without excuse to hold to our idols. And, in this condition, we are enemies of the cross of Christ: instead of "showing Christ" to the world, we join right in with their futile pursuit to think only about this life here on earth.
THINK! Debt, insurance, medicine and technology all promote quality of life here on earth. As industries, they all subliminally (and increasingly more, overtly) promote godless lifestyles in their advertisements. Can a true follower of Christ dare say God uses these idols?
Admittedly, what is said here is scary to most of us. Most will be just like the wealthy young man in Matthew 19.16-22: simply walking away sad, unwilling to give up his own way, take up his cross, and follow Jesus. Again, Paul said doing so makes us enemies of the cross of Christ because we are thinking only about this life here on earth.
Will I continue to be Christ's enemy? Or, will I give up my own way, take up my cross and follow Him?
Father, I know it is decision time. Help me - help us - to choose Jesus. So be it.
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