The cross is the center, the core of the Kingdom of God. Every member of the Kingdom of God is to view the creation from the cross. The saint does not seek his own will but the will of God. The cross insures that the will of God is done in the Kingdom of God.

Being crucified with Christ purifies the believer of self-will. The cross of the saint destroys self-will, personal ambition, fleshly enthusiasm, self-centeredness, self-love from his personality.

Living a crucified life means there always is a point of pain in our consciousness. We never can completely relax, settle back and be at ease in Zion.

In what did Paul boast?

In the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The world and worldly Christians do not want to hear about the cross. They cover their eyes. The cross makes no sense. Circumcision is a religious observance people can practice, something they can do to demonstrate their adherence to their religion.

What can one do with the cross?

Believe in it. Enter it. Embrace it. Carry it. Boast in it.

Every true minister of the Gospel of Christ serves from his position on the cross.

God always meets man at the cross. The cross is portrayed by the Altar of Burnt Offering, which was located in front of the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee (Exodus 29:42).

By faith we assign our whole first personality to die on the cross with Jesus.

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (Romans 6:6).

We Christians boast in the cross because the cross is the power of God to salvation.

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us [the Christians—Jews and Gentiles] which are saved it is the power of God (I Corinthians 1:17,18).

The cross as a way of salvation is an offense to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1:23,24).

The cross brings us down to weakness so the power of God may flow from our life to other people.

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him by the power of God toward you (II Corinthians 13:4)

We take up our cross and we do the Father's will, and the pain removes the personal motivation. We lose the desire to be preeminent in the Kingdom because of the cost to us.

To be continued.