The CL surgery is meant to represent the crucified life which Christians (followers of Christ) are called to (Galatians 2:20).
This type of living sanctifies (cleanses) us from the pattern and practices of this world as we change (transform), in both thinking and actions, into Christ-likeness.
Paul said for us to imitate him as he imitates Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Paul said, "To live is Christ, and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21
Yet the modern version of being a Christian loses a lot at death. We lose all that we dedicated so much of our time, treasures, and effort to. We have spent years building our lifestyles, padding our own nest, promoting our own lives and our own family... all while the needy surround us. Those who are close to us, in our neighborhood or who work in our building; they may notice and even come to admire the "wholesomeness" of your family and the lack of turmoil which this world produces in it, and seek to imitate you. They think, he/she has a nice house, nice family, nice vehicles, takes nice vacations, does nice things...
Naturally they see "Christianity" as a means to do much better at this life.
We demonstrate that "following Jesus" merely requires a nip here and tuck there to keep ourselves inline. We improve our lifestyles by eliminating the pitfalls, then when we grow old and die... onto true paradise and streets of gold.
This is what we're taught, this is what we see modeled by Church leaders and mature Christians, and this is what we try so hard to emulate... Wholesome instead of Holy.
But this is not abiding by HIS (Jesus) directives,
"If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me." - Luke 9:23
"Whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." - Matthew 10:38
"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." - Luke 14:27
"Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord' but not do what I say?" - Luke 6:46
God decrees, "you shall be holy, for I AM Holy."
Leviticus 21:8 / Exodus 19:6 / 1 Peter 1:16 / 1 Thessalonians 4:7
All of God's commands are based upon Loving Him with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, all our strength, and this is done by Loving our neighbor (those in need) as we had previously (prior to being born again) loved our self.
Every human begins life by doing the exact opposite, we love our SELF with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Every SIN committed (thought and deed) emanates from this love and devotion to self. But Jesus became flesh and lived amongst us to show us a "new way", a radically different way, a way of "laying down your life for another", forsaking your own kingdom and seeking the Kingdom of God. Then He commands His followers to "follow Him."
Consider Paul's admonishment...
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. - 1 Corinthians 10:21-24
How do you read Scripture?
And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last first." - Matthew 19:23-30
Dr. Lukewarmer can get us to WHOLESOME.
But only Dr. Spirit can make us radically different... HOLY.
Comments