The Cross and The Flesh and The Cross and Relationships

I did not know that I had a temper until I came to God. How many times have you heard that or even said it yourself? But it is true. You do not come to realize how wrong you are until you see yourself through God’s Word.

We have traveled a long and difficult road to learn Romans 7:18 (AMP version)

“For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not.

It does take a long time to learn that the flesh is constantly fighting against the things of God. Let’s talk   about your will, your desires, your behavior. Are these not of the flesh? Look at Romans 8:6-9

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

God’s Word gives ample description and warnings about the flesh. There are; the filth of the flesh, the wisdom of the flesh, the purposes of the flesh, the will of the flesh, the desires of the flesh, the confidence of the flesh, the mind of the flesh, and yes, even the glory of the flesh.

We live in a fallen human nature. And it is impossible for the natural man to escape the flesh with all its selfish ways. But with God, the impossible becomes possible. Galatians 5:24-25

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

God’s condition simply stated is that: we are to continually yield ourselves to God, that we may experience the liberty with which Christ has made us free. 

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

John 8:31

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:36

Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

How do you now see the flesh and its works?  

Do you need strength to bring the flesh to the Cross? What can you do?

Why must you daily die to the flesh?

Let us stand for Jesus, because we are His. Write a prayer for courage and diligence to remain continually before the wonderous work Jesus did at the cross.

The Cross and Relationships

This chapter of the book has really helped me to understand the importance of being a sound parent.You will find things that should help you to examine yourself. I realized some things that I can change as a parent that I never considered before.

Allow me to give you something to think about as I quote from the book.

“few Christian parents are governed by the simple truths of the cross. We think of our homes as bringing up kids in sound doctrine, but we shield them from the path of suffering. Too often, it is the parent that refuses to take the way of the Cross either for themselves or for their children.

Let’s look at the stories the author uses that will help us to examine ourselves. Keep in mind this book was written in an earlier era and the language is different. Allow yourself to be captured by the heart of the message. May the Holy Spirit minister to each heart.

“A young lady was called of God to go to India. Her mother was unsaved and seemed to need her help. But the call of God had to come first, that was unmistakable. Her Christians friends gave her good advice according to the natural. They cautioned her that, if she were a real Christian, she would stay at home to care for her mother. But the daughter understood the call of God upon her life and did not allow her friends, her flesh or her mother to get in the way of what God was calling her to do. 
Counted as cruel and unloving and “reckoned among the transgressors.” She went the way of death in harmony with the Crucified Christ to India. With her mother still over on the other side of the Cross, ”Calvary had come between daughter and mother.”

Let us take a close look at the message of the Cross in this story.

What decisions did the young woman have to make? List three.

What do you think about the mother’s request?

Do you think her friends had her best interest at heart?

What is the message?

Luke 12:51-53 

Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” 
Calvary not only divides, it draws. Christ warned, “that I came to divide”. There is no divider like Christ. How He pierces and divides asunder! He did not come to bring peace but a sword”. 

Matthew 10:34.

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword

The Cross sunders the dearest of earthly ties, violates our deepest attachments; give us a heart of steel to ourselves and the tenderest of heart’s towards others. Few Christian parents are governed by the simple truths of the cross. We think of our kids as being taught sound doctrine, but we are so wrapped up in them, that we can not bear to see them take the way of the Cross. Instead we shield them from God’s way believing that it is the path of suffering. 

Blood runs thick. Christians parents who have gone to great lengths to follow Christ, break down at this point. Their fleshly sentiments make them, perhaps unconsciously, the enemies of the cross. The Cross begins to get a hold of that son or daughter and they are eager to follow Christ to the ends of the earth. Too often, it is the parent that refuses to take the way of the Cross either for themselves or for their children.

Perhaps you have a young adult whose desire for the Lord that has yet to be revealed. But not realizing the truth about our own selfish reasons, we shield our children from growing through their own mistakes and trials.

Let me share with you my lesson learned. After a season of crying out like the mother in the story, because I had yet to learn about dying to my selfishness, I finally surrendered to “letting go.”

As God so faithfully has promised us, after I surrendered my selfish ways and let my child go, then God allowed me to see the blessing He intended for them and for me. My child had his own encountered with God as God revealed Himself in that midnight hour.

Can you see the importance for parents to let go of their children and get out of God’s way so that His perfect plan for them can begin?

Let’s look at our 2^nd story from the author.

A prodigal son was determined to have a fling.” His mother was a woman of prayer. He comforted himself beneath her prayers believing that he could not get far away from God. After a time, the mother detected a fatal flaw in her praying. Her sentiment would save her son from the way of the transgressors, which is hard, but was not allowing God to work out this young man’s salvation. She did not yet identify with the way of the cross.

Finally, she came to understand that she had to die to her fear, so that her son may live. So, she warned him; “Son, I am no longer asking God to protect you or to save you; but I am asking Him to get you, died or alive”. 

What do you think the message is?

What did she have to die to?

The author quotes Oswald Chambers in saying; “whenever we step away from identifying God’s interest in others and begin to use our sentiments; we lose connection with God and have allowed our own ideas and emotions to get in the way of God’s work. This is a deliberate rebuke to God”.

In this case of the prodigal, the author is referring to her sympathy and concern for her son over God’s will for him; therefore, her prayers were a hinderance.

That son is a missionary in Africa today. He got afraid of mother’s prayers. Mother died to her own fleshly attachments and then her son was able to follow her to the Cross and into a resurrected life and of service.

How can you apply this message to your life today?