I will classify this kind of thinking as "Red letter bible" thinking. I have met quite a few Christians who grew up in churches that preached almost exclusively from the 4 Gospels, and perhaps you also came from such a church.
When they do refer to Paul's epistles they always interpret them in the light of what Jesus said in the 4 Gospels. In most of their bibles, all of Jesus's words are in red, so somehow that red color takes on special significance.
It is clear why Paul would not preach about Christians needing to deny themselves and bear the cross. Paul was preaching the Gospel of grace, where Jesus finished ALL the works required for salvation on our behalf. Our role is simply to believe in his finished work, accept it, and renew our minds every day to that truth.
Take for example the ministry of reconciliation that Paul preached in 2 Cor 5.
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one [b]according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ [c]according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [d]he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and [e]He has [f]committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Notice that Paul said "we recognize no one [b]according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ [c]according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer."
Jesus, in the 4 Gospels, was in the flesh, but with the new dispensation of grace, we "know him in this way no longer".
Yes, I agree with you that Paul was indeed martyred for Jesus but in my opinion, he would be horrified if he realized that you are now using this as a "criteria to see whether Jesus would accept or deny us in heaven".
For me, I don't really see that as a requirement for salvation. I would like to think that, as long as I keep renewing my mind to how much God loves me, I hope to eventually reach a stage like him when he said to his fellow believers in Philippians 1
23 [e]For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
Paul has reached a stage when he believed in his heart that death is really a blessing for him, but he stayed alive because the church needed him. I believe when he may have actually preach the gospel of grace to the one who was suppose to execute him, because he no longer have any fear of death.
Now that is the stage I am aiming towards.
When they do refer to Paul's epistles they always interpret them in the light of what Jesus said in the 4 Gospels. In most of their bibles, all of Jesus's words are in red, so somehow that red color takes on special significance.
It is clear why Paul would not preach about Christians needing to deny themselves and bear the cross. Paul was preaching the Gospel of grace, where Jesus finished ALL the works required for salvation on our behalf. Our role is simply to believe in his finished work, accept it, and renew our minds every day to that truth.
Take for example the ministry of reconciliation that Paul preached in 2 Cor 5.
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one [b]according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ [c]according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [d]he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and [e]He has [f]committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Notice that Paul said "we recognize no one [b]according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ [c]according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer."
Jesus, in the 4 Gospels, was in the flesh, but with the new dispensation of grace, we "know him in this way no longer".
Yes, I agree with you that Paul was indeed martyred for Jesus but in my opinion, he would be horrified if he realized that you are now using this as a "criteria to see whether Jesus would accept or deny us in heaven".
For me, I don't really see that as a requirement for salvation. I would like to think that, as long as I keep renewing my mind to how much God loves me, I hope to eventually reach a stage like him when he said to his fellow believers in Philippians 1
23 [e]For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
Paul has reached a stage when he believed in his heart that death is really a blessing for him, but he stayed alive because the church needed him. I believe when he may have actually preach the gospel of grace to the one who was suppose to execute him, because he no longer have any fear of death.
Now that is the stage I am aiming towards.
Than I think, take the cross is the manifestation of believe in Jesus.
Like Noah, believe in God, than because he believe in God he make an ark.
God told noah, there will be flood, so make an ark. If Noah do not believe there will be flood, why he make an ark.
Noah make an ark prove that he believe in What God say.
If Noah believe that there will be flood but not make an ark was he save?
No. Believe course Him make an ark and course Him save.
Believe and action is a package do not separate it.
Salvation is by faith alone but faith that saves never alone (Martin Luther)
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