The words submit and crucify seem to be difficult words to adhere to in a society where basically anything goes, but they are a must if we are going to be transformed into the image of the Father. If something is good to our senses of taste, smell, feel, touch, and sight we seem to go for it, but that is the opposite of what we are commanded to do as Christ followers.
Recently, a pastor who once was a youth pastor and still has much influence over the younger generation posted a picture on his social media page. The picture was of his son and his first tattoo, and the pastor bragged about getting him started young. I had to wonder if this father asked Jesus what he should allow his child to put on His temple. Thus, the world we live in today where paganism and heathenism are real and closer to us than we know.
Due to the condition of the world, I have felt a holy fire in me that I cannot contain!
Jeremiah, the prophet said, But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jer 20:9 NIV
I get it, and perhaps many of you reading this do as well. We are living in a world that has lost its grip on sanity and holiness. We now live in a world that calls evil good and good evil, upside down and inside out world that is running loose in the pits of filth. Sadly, the Church that should be leading the call to repentance and holiness is succumbing to the deception and enticement of the world at a record pace.
Before God destroyed Sodom, He sent in angels to save Lot and his family. The prayers of Abraham are what brought the saving of Lot and those with him. We have an obligation to humanity to intercede for all people, including those in authority over this nation. Part of our prayer must be repentance and Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him --. Joel 2:14a
REVIVAL TARRIES
Many are crying out for revival in this nation, yet with so much of the Church asleep, we will not see such a thing until there is a great awakening. When the people of God wake up from their mesmerized stupor and recognize the state of our nation, then we will see revival. God desires to pour out His love over a nation that has lost its way, but He knows whether we will receive it or not. At this point, we are not ready to receive the love of God that leads us to repentance.
Only 40% of those confessing to be Christians actually attend church on a weekly basis, and 57% of American Christians believe there are other paths to eternal life. These are real numbers, and they reflect the state of the Church; unsubmitted and dead.
Too many people believe that Christians will be “raptured” out of this world. Because of such belief many do not fight the good fight of faith. The idea that a prince charming will come and sweep us up into the air where we will go to a fluffy hot spot in the heavens has taken many captive. The truth is we are to occupy until Jesus returns. Jesus said …when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? Lk 18:8 Faith fights, faith stands firm, faith remains steadfast and doesn’t give up. We can’t quit now when we are so close to the finish line!
Three Ways to Walk in the Spirit
Though we may not have a vision at this point and struggle to see the end result or even the next step, our submission will bring the vision. You cannot see what you won’t submit to. Submission requires a life led by the Spirit of God. God leads us by His Spirit; we submit by our spirit intertwined with His.
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Gal 5:16 NLT
1. Submit to God and resist the devil. Ja 4:7
2. Crucify the flesh, put it on the cross, and stop allowing it through your emotions, to control your life.
3. Transform your mind with the word of God, walk in your new identity whether you believe it or not; allow it to come forth. You have been born again.
I recently gave a message on the subject of how to walk in the Spirit. There is so much to cover on this topic so I will give you a brief glimpse and you can uncover the rest.
To be a follower of Jesus, we have to give up something, in the words of Jesus, we have to give it all up. Then He said to [them] all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. - Luk 9:23 NKJV The idea of giving up anything for the sake of God is a very foreign thought to most, let alone everything. Yet, it is the only way we can have victory over our carnal nature.
Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy. One way the devil can complete his agenda is through an unrepentant, unsubmitted, sinful heart. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. - 1Jo 3:8 NKJV
The only way to resist the devil's work to destroy your life is through submission. Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Ja 4:7 Submitting your life to God through Christ Jesus is the beginning of your holy and free life. The truth will set you free, and the truth is of God and His word, not this worlds humanistic beliefs.
To crucify the flesh sounds painful, and for some, it can be. To crucify the sinful nature means to put it into subjection to God’s will, which is usually the opposite of our own, at least in the beginning.
Ephesians 1:3-13 describes your identity as a child of God. Use them in conjunction with the following two powerful scriptures to help you along your journey of death to life.
I have been crucified with Christ; 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 gave Himself for me. -Gal 2:20
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. -Rom 6:3, 6
Lastly, transform your mind with the word of God. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Rom 12:2 It is when we stop meeting the requirements of this world and renew our minds by the word of God that we can know sonship.
God’s word is a powerful weapon to defeat the strongholds and wrong mindsets that we have allowed to be developed in our thinking. No other religion has such a weapon. Use it to develop your character and bring you more into the likeness of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. - Heb 4:12 NLT
Let’s pray,
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your attention to my life. Thank You for helping me to be more than an overcomer in Christ Jesus. I confess my sin right now, sins of rebellion, and self-will. I ask that Holy Spirit would bring me into the proper alignment with You and that through the blood of Jesus Christ, I would become a willing vessel, yielded to Your will for Your glory. Use Your word to break up the hard places in my heart and heal them as well. In Jesus name, Amen