Jeremiah 6:16, John 20:21, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

In Luke 9:23 Jesus said ,“If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” 

That is the trumpet sound, that is the way of the Cross, that is the way of a believer and a Christian!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 

Galatians 5:24 NLT

The old has gone, the new has come.  A believer has, and is, crucifying the flesh through the empowerment of the Spirit.

Holding on to their old way of life, old hurts…?

You need to find the way, the good way, and take it – remembering that we are to forgive just as Christ forgave us. God’s word says, “Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

All our relationships have been radically transformed by it. The cross is not just a badge to identify us and the banner under which we march; it is also the compass that gives us our bearings in a disorientated world. In particular, the cross revolutionizes our attitudes to God, to ourselves, to other people both inside and outside the Christian fellowship. 

John Stott

Remember, we are to consider ourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Jesus Christ. As a born-again believer you have shared in His death and resurrection through baptism. In doing this you proclaim that you have died to sin and have risen to God in Christ. The old has gone, the new has come! 

Unforgiveness is a sin, unbelief is a sin. And unbelief comes in many forms: disobedience, ignorance, and apathy. All three can be overcome, but it takes an act of will—a want to. 

Disobedience can be overcome by turning to the Lord in obedience, walking in this world as a believer-a Christian.

Ignorance is overcome by the renewing of your mind, by getting into the Word of God by coming together to learn and grow as the Church. That also helps us in our ignorance of others.

Apathy, lukewarm, uninterested – these can only be overcome by choosing to move. This is the Way!

Christianity is not a program. No, it is a life changing event that is seen in how we live, how we walk in this world. 

A Christian is no longer obligated to live according to the flesh/self. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Turn to God and live the new life that is yours in Christ.

It’s time to get on the good way. Crucify self and be what you are called to be: a messenger of reconciliation! Your immortal soul is on the line. The fires of hell await those that turn their back on Christ and His Church (Hebrews 6:4-8, 2 Peter 2:19-22).

Digging Deeper:

• Are you crucifying the flesh?
• Are you a messenger of reconciliation? 

Further Reading: Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 18:15-17, 21-35, Romans 6, Romans 12:1-21, Romans 13:14, Colossians 3:5, Ephesians 4:3, Romans 5:10, Matthew 18:15