Luke 9:23 - And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Denial of self is recognizing my moral and spiritual poverty; for I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing (Romans 7:18). It is knowing and understanding that I am unable to serve God in my own will power, self-will, strength, ability, and power. We see this in the first three "Beatitudes."
Romans 8:13,
Zechariah 4:6 - Without Jesus you can do nothing (John 15:5)!!!!!
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5
Take up his cross is seen in
Matthew 5:6; Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
I am filled by God's provisions (GRACE) found in Christ by placing my Faith exclusively in Christ and Him Crucified (Believing who Jesus is, and what Jesus has done). Therefore I receive all the benefits of this "Resurrection Life" by understanding that we have been planted together [Christ and ourselves] in the likeness of His Death [
Romans 6:5,
Psalm 103:2].
Without the knowledge of the Cross for sanctification, you will die (spiritually).
The Way Of The Spirit
Focus: The Lord Jesus Christ (
John 14:6)
Object Of Faith: The Cross of Christ (
Romans 6:1-14)
Power Source: The Holy Spirit (
Romans 8:1-2,
11)
Results: Victory (
Romans 6:14)
Man's Way
Focus: Works.
Object Of Faith: Performance.
Power Source: Self.
Results: Defeat!
Two kinds of peace
1. Justifying Peace - This is Peace with God, a legal standing.
Rom. 8:7;
Eph. 2:14-15
2. Sanctifying Peace - This is the Peace of God in the heart.
Rom. 8:6;
14:19;
15:13;
Gal. 1:3
The first is the result of a legal standing. The second is the result of the Work of the Holy Spirit. The first is static, never fluctuates, the second changes almost from hour to hour. The first, every Christian has, the second, every Christian may have.
Sanctifying peace allows the Holy Spirit to deliver the Believer into the death of Christ so Christ life is manifested through the Believer (
2 Cor. 4:11,
Gal. 2:20-21,
Romans 8:2,
13,
John 14:21).
I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me (Who Jesus Is), and gave himself for me (What Jesus Has Done). Gal. 2:20
JSM