The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Cross Is the Only Entrance, continued

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. (Romans 6:4,5—NIV)

We talk about the cross, we may wear a cross around our neck, we may wave a cross at the demon-possessed in order to drive out the unclean spirits (how ridiculous!), we may even trust in the blood of the cross as the atonement for our sins. But our Christian life does not begin until we go to the cross and die with Jesus, and then rise with Him to the right hand of the Father.

The demons are in no way affected by our exhibitions of wooden or metal crosses. Such crosses may help bring to the mind of the believer the centrality of the cross of Jesus Christ in the Divine plan of redemption, or may even remind him of the need to take up his cross each day and follow the Lord Jesus.

Religious articles or structures are not holy, nor are they recognized as such by the Lord or other inhabitants of the spirit realm, on the basis of their symbolizing aspects of the Christian faith. But the spirit realm does recognize and clearly understands the significance of the cross when it appears in the believer's personality. The demons are terrified and the holy saints and angels are blessed and strengthened when they can see the cross in a believer's personality.

Because crucifixion and resurrection with Jesus Christ are not being emphasized in our day we have multitudes of believers who believe in Christ, speak in tongues, and exercise other gifts of the Spirit, but are vulnerable to deception because they have never given over their self-life to crucifixion. They are very much alive in the adamic nature. Therefore they are an imitation of Christ. Christ does not know them. They are not part of Himself. The Spirit of God has fallen on their flesh but they themselves, although they claim to be born again, are not revealing in themselves the newness of life, the nature of the resurrected Christ. Adam is clearly in charge in the personality.

Evangelical teaching for the most part is actually Gnosticism plus an assortment of myths, such as "Jesus is coming to take His waiting bride to Heaven." But God in His goodness and love has come to us in America and is ready to purge His churches with Divine fire.

There is no reason you cannot maintain your position at the right hand of God and return with Him at His appearing. But you will have to turn from the carnality, sin, and self-seeking in today's churches and seek Christ with all your might—diligently, consistently, at all times.

You will have to enter through the cross.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13—NIV) (from The Cross Is the Only Entrance)