Our Cross by Wade Urban

Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Matt. 10:38-39: “And he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Matt. 16:24-25: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Recently, as I was meditating on these scriptures, Holy Spirit apprehended my thoughts with a question: “What does taking up your cross and being crucified mean?” I have come to understand that when asked a question by Holy Spirit, He is not seeking information but desiring for me to move into a deeper revelation of His Word. This understanding is usually progressive as He leads through scripture revealing a deeper meaning of the “finished work of Jesus Christ.” The progressive nature of New Testament revelation can be seen in the different ministry models of the church. I believe four basic models for ministry exist:
1. Sin Model (Rom. 5:8-10; 1Jn. 1:9) can be defined as: “Admit it, quit it, and forget it!” This model relies on the believer embracing the cross and being freed from the power of sin through forgiveness by the blood of Jesus Christ.
2. Truth Model (Jn. 8:31-32, 36) is based on understanding God’s Word and the resultant behavioral changes that truth causes.
3. Experiential Model (Acts 2:38-39) is based upon experiencing the power of Holy Spirit (anointing) for oneself.
4. Miracle Model (Mk. 16:15-18; 1Cor. 12:4-11) progresses even further as Holy Spirit power flows to and through a believer in signs, wonders, and gifts of Holy Spirit causing kingdom manifestations.
Each of these ministry models is based on scriptural truth, yet a progression of revelation and understanding is required to move into each successive level. Every significant move of God through the centuries began with a revelation of truth from God’s word. Martin Luther saw that justification came by faith alone and from this revelation a new move of God began. Every successive move of God was built upon a revealed truth from God’s word empowered by Holy Spirit. Denominations were established as a result of past moves of God and fresh revelation He authored at that particular time. Many denominations set doctrinal boundaries on that specific revelation and refuse to move further even though Holy Spirit and His glory cloud have long since moved on revealing deeper levels of truth to others. Often, unnecessary divisions exist within the church because of these doctrinal differences caused by what each group has seen of the “finished work of Jesus Christ.” We are about to enter a divinely appointed time when great demonstrations of God’s glory through signs and wonders will be displayed which cannot be denied even by the most fervent denominational adherent.
God’s word is living and active, always deepening its impact in those diligently seeking Him. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). The “cross” Jesus mentioned has the same meaning as Paul’s declaration, “I am crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20). What is our “cross”, and how are we “crucified”? The “cross” and “crucifixion” means dying to self, our own personal desires and motives. Our “cross” is not the event that causes death but the price we pay for our redemption and the power of redemption through Holy Spirit living through us. The power and purpose of the “cross” is forgiveness. Failure to understand our “cross” is a failure to understand forgiveness. Scriptural forgiveness is not the worldly view of “forgiving and forgetting!”
Some offenses cannot, nor should be forgotten. Boundaries may have to be established to prevent future abuse and offenses. Scriptural forgiveness recognizes that all sin carries a penalty that must be paid—death. Just as Jesus paid the ultimate price for sin, conquering death and the curse of the law, so we also are called to pay the penalty for offenses committed against us. This is forgiveness. It is our willingly choosing to pay the penalty without seeking revenge, taking up our cross and following His example. Paul wrote to the Philippians to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. This was certainly not by their own efforts to win justification but by forgiveness and Holy Spirit’s power working in them to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil. 2:12-13). Our “cross” is where we receive healing and also become an offering to those who wounded us. Our “cross” perfects love in our lives. When we are slapped on one cheek, we offer the other; when forced to go one mile, we journey two; when cursed, we bless; and when persecuted, we pray for our persecutor.
Our cross is often heavy to bear when our flesh cries out for justice and we really want revenge against those who hurt us. The truth is we can never be perfected in a world where no one wounds us! Without the cross and our being crucified to our flesh there can be no resurrection power released into our lives. Forgiveness is a requirement for our being members of this society of redeemers called the church! Understanding the reality and power of our “cross” brings a death to “self” and releases “resurrection power” enabling us to be conformed to the nature of Christ. Our life’s goal should be, “to know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, we may attain to the resurrection of the dead” (Phil. 3:10-11). This means there may be times we feel abandoned, betrayed, weak and vulnerable just as Jesus experienced, yet He responded, “ Father forgive them” (Lk. 23:34).
Our cross presents an opportunity for intercessory ministry as well. As we intercede for others, we actually become “paracletes,” or one who comes along side and helps others to bear their cross. Gal. 6:2 explains, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Our cross may in reality include helping others fulfill Jesus’ command to take up our cross. In so doing, we will see notable miracles as well as supernatural healing of denominational breaches that have existed for decades. Just as Jesus’ ministry included the “cross” but did not end at the “cross,” so also our destiny includes our “cross” but does not end there either. Like Jesus, we are destined to receive resurrection power and ascension to His character, power, and glory! Amen.