Encouraging Word
Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, produced a pamphlet entitled, “4 Spiritual Laws.” It mentioned that in each of our lives there is both a throne and a cross, and they both will be occupied. For Christ followers, Jesus Christ should occupy the throne, since He is our Lord; and our old nature (self) should occupy the cross. However, if we are not careful, self will attempt to come down off the cross and try to ease Christ off the throne of our lives.
Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 delivered Himself up for me.” Matthew 16:24 says, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.’”
II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” Also, I Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” The Apostle Paul goes on to say in Galatians 5:16-17, “But I say walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh set its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things you please.”
We must decide, “Who is in charge?” Are we going to submit to the Lordship of Christ, place Him on our throne and serve Him; or are we going to allow self (old nature) to come down off the cross and usurp Christ’s rightful place on the throne?
-Tony Cooper
Celebrating 27 Years of Service as Exec. Director, Jimmie Hale Mission
