The second thing that is required of this human vessel through whom God would channel the blessings of revival is self crucifixion. This takes us a little farther than self denial. It puts a final end to the self life. As long as we allow self to thrive in us we stand the risk of falling and thus do damage to the great cause we are avowed to fulfill. Self must, therefore, be crucified in us.
Self crucifixion is one identifying himself with the death of Christ on the cross of Calvary. This identification is of utmost importance in any Christian’s life, but much more in the life of those who would be used of God to channel His blessings to others.
The death of Christ marked the end of many years of battle with sin. “He died unto sin once…” the apostle Paul declares, Rom.6:10. In the same way we are exhorted to reckon ourselves as being dead INDEED. Verse 11 tells us this. This means we must through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body. Rom 8:13.
Thus making it possible for evil lusts, worldly allurements or vain glory to make any headway in our lives.
I do not remember anything that caused such trembling in my heart at the earliest stage of my call into the ministry, as the thought of a possible fall after attaining to a very high peak in the Lord’s service. So much did it terrify me that I nearly accepted the devil’s suggestion to be content with the heights I had already attained then. Thank God, His soft whisper of “My grace is sufficient for thee” came to my rescue.
The more instrumental one becomes in the hand of God, the more the devil intensifies hostilities against him, for he constitutes a great threat to the satanic kingdom. Also, the man’s fall would do harm to the great cause of Christ. It is only the self in us that would succumb to all wicked devices of the devil. Therefore self must be crucified.
Self crucifixion makes it impossible for pride, vain glory worldly pleasure and carnal desires to succeed in seducing us. For it is only the self in us that can breed or cherish them.
The course the Lord calls us to fulfill makes one a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 1 Cor. 4:9. It makes one subject to public ridicule which tends to evoke self pity in us, which in turn leads us to be ashamed of our calling. Then our usefulness is gone. Self crucifixion makes this woeful result impossible.
Destructive criticisms are bound to come from friends and foes alike, even from those who would be expected to know and understand better. This causes us to feel confused, embarrassed and discouraged, and leads finally to a withdrawal from the noble course we are bound to prosecute.
Self crucifixion offers the only remedy here. It makes us to portray the image of Christ, “Who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.” 1 Peter 2:23.
Self crucifixion puts an end to self conceit which leads to woeful failure. Yes, self crucifixion puts a final end to all self life and buries it out of sight, paving way for a resurrected life. Self will and selfish minds cease to exist and God’s will and sanctified minds take full control.
With the crucifixion of self with all its carnal desires and functions in us, we could live the resurrected. “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” Rom.6:5
The resurrected life is a life of victory and great triumph. A life that knows no embarrassment, discouragement, defeat nor fear.
A life that counts it all joy when it is confronted with diverse temptations and triumphs over every foe. The resurrected life! A life that enthrones God and allows Him to order its steps day by day. It is a Spirit-filled life with great productiveness.
For our words and deeds thus receive God’s backing and become a real demonstration of the Spirit and power. God, taking full control of our lives goes ahead doing exploits in and through us, accomplishing those things the world deems impossible. He alone, receives the glory. Amen.
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