Hi there!
So I wanted to discuss the Cross for a moment. You know that Jesus said "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death" (Matthew 26:38)? Think for a moment with me, why did Jesus say that? It is because our Cross is a burden. In other words, if you are taking up your Cross, you will experience this sorrow of the soul. What is interesting, is that we can go to the Cross, without feeling this sorrow, at least at first. Why? Because the Devil puts us in denial, of how deeply affected by sin we are.
Why then did Jesus not rebuke the Devil? Probably in prayer He did! The point is, Jesus did not condemn Himself, yet He felt condemned. In other words, Jesus had to pray to the Father to help Him cope with the Cross. It is not something we do on our own! Just as Paul said "imitate me as I imitate Christ" (from memory, letters), we must focus on Christ as He focusses on God. There is power in this, because once the sorrow has been dealt with, not only do we not have to deal with it again, but the cleansing of our conscience, guides us forth (to the Cross).
Then do we not sin, if our conscience is cleansed? Certainly, as I was saying in another thread, sin is kept at a distance. In turn this means we can keep sin from others. But the Devil, the temptation, it is still there, I think. That's what Jesus was talking about when He said "strive to enter by the narrow gate" (from memory, Gospels), your cross is not to the left, or to the right! If you approach sin again, the sorrow will grow worse, so make sure you stay on track to the Cross at the center - godly resistance to sorrow, will guide you through to the end. You should be free, to rise above sorrow, as the approach to the Cross nears its end.
I hope this has been of some encouragement to you.
God bless.
So I wanted to discuss the Cross for a moment. You know that Jesus said "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death" (Matthew 26:38)? Think for a moment with me, why did Jesus say that? It is because our Cross is a burden. In other words, if you are taking up your Cross, you will experience this sorrow of the soul. What is interesting, is that we can go to the Cross, without feeling this sorrow, at least at first. Why? Because the Devil puts us in denial, of how deeply affected by sin we are.
Why then did Jesus not rebuke the Devil? Probably in prayer He did! The point is, Jesus did not condemn Himself, yet He felt condemned. In other words, Jesus had to pray to the Father to help Him cope with the Cross. It is not something we do on our own! Just as Paul said "imitate me as I imitate Christ" (from memory, letters), we must focus on Christ as He focusses on God. There is power in this, because once the sorrow has been dealt with, not only do we not have to deal with it again, but the cleansing of our conscience, guides us forth (to the Cross).
Then do we not sin, if our conscience is cleansed? Certainly, as I was saying in another thread, sin is kept at a distance. In turn this means we can keep sin from others. But the Devil, the temptation, it is still there, I think. That's what Jesus was talking about when He said "strive to enter by the narrow gate" (from memory, Gospels), your cross is not to the left, or to the right! If you approach sin again, the sorrow will grow worse, so make sure you stay on track to the Cross at the center - godly resistance to sorrow, will guide you through to the end. You should be free, to rise above sorrow, as the approach to the Cross nears its end.
I hope this has been of some encouragement to you.
God bless.
