Losing our Lives to save our Lives
Rohnel, and my beloved husband, Peter, servants of God and Christ, unto the twelve tribes scattered in the world beloved of God, called to be saints, to the little children and to the faithful: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psa 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
Psa 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psa 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Psa 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
1Ch 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
1Ch 16:35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.
Keep my Commandments and Live
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Our Lives are Becoming New
Jesus Christ, the Lord, spoke some profound yet simple truths about our journey to salvation. One such saying includes these verses from the Gospels.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Note the qualifier in the Gospel of Matthew that the loss of life is for the Lord’s sake. Our suffering is our filling up what is behind in the afflictions of Christ Jesus, for His Body’s sake. These sufferings, trials, temptations, and tribulations, and the losing of our lives are for the Lord’s sake because it is for “His Body” of which we are an active and living part.
Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
The Lord gave us the example we are following. We are to love one another as He loved us, which means giving up the wants of our flesh and instead serving others. This is laying down our lives in Spirit. Laying down our lives in Spirit, is to stop accusing and excusing within ourselves and instead do the Commandments of Christ.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
This is the mark of maturity when we begin to do this in deed and in truth, going on to perfection. The natural man within and without cannot receive this, but only the spiritual man receives this saying. The Comforter, who is perfect, IS come, and we are not under the law anymore but under Grace that lives in our hearts and minds. The Lord speaks of those things that are not as if they are for those still waiting for the Holy Spirit of Promise.
1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
1Co 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
We have been prepared all of our lives to do the greater works of Christ, and that is to lose our lives, loving our brethren.
Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Joh 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
How Does Physical Death Fit In?
Shedding these clay bodies is a certainty at the appointed times [dust to dust]. Yet, losing our lives for Christ is not speaking about physical death. These losing our life verses, like all Scriptures, are spiritual statements and how the Scriptures should be rightly divided [John 6:63]. Losing our lives is losing our old way of life, and it comes down to us being separated from the world and the world being separated from us within and without. It is to stop our carnal reasonings, our idols of the heart, the lies we tell ourselves, and what others tell us, and to do Christ. To do Christ is to obey Him [to be made holy]. This verse from Paul in the NLT translation states this very well.
Gal 6:14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Nonetheless, to reap the fullness of our new life in Christ versus the earnest deposit, we ultimately shed our bodies of clay and will be given a glorified spiritual body in the age to come. Thus, physical death is needed to complete the Lord’s journey. However, we have already obtained this in the form of a down payment while still alive.
1Co 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
1Co 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
1Co 15:37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
1Co 15:38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
1Co 15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
1Co 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
1Co 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
We continue to groan, awaiting the fullness to come. Now, are we the sons of God, if we continue in the Faith of Christ. We are being raised spiritually in this, our Day of the Lord.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the [full] redemption of our body.
1Co 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
Isa 45:11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
Isa 45:12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
Isa 45:13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.
If we receive the Promise, the Comforter, also called the Holy Spirit we shall never taste of physical death. When our time in clay vessels is up, we are immediately translated to be with the Lord, as He is the God of the Living and not of the dead.
Mat 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Those who have Christ living in them now in down payment form shall always be with Christ. Departing these clay vessels is not an obstacle. The Lord promised that when He went to prepare a place for us, where He is, we are also. We are forever alive and with the Lord.
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
New Life Comes from the Loss of the Old
When the Lord comes to establish His Temple within us, our life’s purpose begins to change from seeking and accumulating “worldly” things, that is to say, carnally minded thoughts and desires, to seeking treasures in heaven. Our loss of earthly and spiritual treasures is replaced over time with treasures in heaven. When we labor to store possessions or treasures [physical or spiritual], we cannot be rich towards God. Read the parable of the rich young fool in Luke 12:15-21.
Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Losing what we value most in the carnal and spiritual world fundamentally changes our identity and previous priorities for living. We now belong to Christ, and we lose much to create room for the Lord in our inward heavens. The void of what is lost is filled by the increase of Christ in us, the Hope of Glory. Attaining the prize of Christ becomes the dominant driver of our lives. Paul wrote about losing all so that he may win Christ. We now have the true knowledge and intimacy with Christ Jesus. Intimacy with Christ is having and knowing His Commandments.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Son 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
We are commanded to seek the Kingdom of God first. We are told not to be anxious and worry about any aspect of tomorrow. All things are being provided for us, so says the Lord. We have a place to lay our weary heads, and we have food and clothing. These are spiritual words. The Lord did not have a place to lay his head, yet his carnal disciples could not receive Him. They had to receive the Comforter, the Promise, before Christ could live in them. Lying down our lives is entering into the Promised Land; it is to rest from our enemies within, that is to say, to rest from our carnal minds, the law of the Gentiles [Rom 2:14-15].
Luk 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luk 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Jos 1:13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
Isa 14:7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.
To get to a mature place of fearing not and trusting the Lord, our faith is tested many times, and we suffer the loss of all things. This is our dying to the natural man, which is our flesh and carnal mind, the law of sin in our members. The Apostles wrote about the suffering and tribulations, and the old life being sacrificed to enter into the Kingdom of God. Here is one of Peter’s oft-cited Scriptures. The end purpose is always our salvation, which comes only after we have suffered much in the flesh, becoming more like Christ. Christ was made perfect through suffering.
1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Paul writes of the Lord’s people becoming a living sacrifice, and this too is our appointment to fulfil, to be saved from our sins. Our reasonable service is to God, the Father, and to Christ, our Redeemer, as unworthy servants to perform our duties to Them out of a thankful heart.
Luk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
All the required sacrifices under the law of Moses are mere shadows of the sacrifices we are now making. Becoming a living sacrifice in the wilderness becomes our living experience in our latter days. Our latter days are after we have heard the true Gospel, that is to say, after we hear Christ’s Commandments and judgment has come on our house. The rituals in Leviticus under the law of Moses spoke of this prophecy that we are fulfilling in Christ. One goat is sacrificed [the Lord], and the second goat [His Christ] is released into the wilderness to bear the sins of Israel today and every day. The prince of the world is judged, that is to say, Satan in us, and in others, is judged.
Lev 16:10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.
1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Joh 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Joh 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
In the day of the Lord, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God who is now living within us. A time is upon us, during our tribulations, when we awaken to the heavy hand of the Lord upon us, and then our progress toward salvation [overcoming] that had stalled continues in earnest. We have to see the man of sin within us first, before the Lord comes to us.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
At the appointed time, Almighty God gets what He desires, which is every man’s sanctification, each man in his own order. Christ is teaching us through the fear of the Lord, and this is how His Commandments are written in our hearts and minds.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Psa 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Christ brings the fire of His living and active Word into our lives, His chastening Grace teaching and correcting us by killing off the fading carnal ways of life, naturally and spiritually. It is only through death that Satan and the carnal mind, which is defined as death, are destroyed [Rom 8:6]. This happens on the cross as we follow the Lord, dying daily. When we die, keeping Christ’s Commandments, Satan within us falls from heaven.
Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
To finish our race, we are enduring ongoing temptations and are becoming the true outcasts of the world. They esteemed not our Lord when He walked in the flesh, and they are not esteeming His people, either. To the carnally minded, we become a gazing stock by those who scoff and mock the Lord.
Heb 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
Heb 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
2Co 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
2Co 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Losing our lives is likened to the shedding of blood in Spirit. Blood is the life force that supplies and sustains life in a body by bringing the needed oxygen and nutrients. The loss of blood in the physical brings certain death. So it is in the Spirit, as we cannot be saved unless that life force that sustains the carnal mind is shed. Our thought life is being changed as we lose the old way and take on the mind of Jesus Christ. The types and shadows of the Old Testament regarding all the sacrifices foretold of this mystery. Christ speaks in parables.
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Heb 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Heb 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Heb 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Paul writes of us following Christ in death in order to be given new life and reap salvation. This is how we lose our lives; we are being baptized into His death every day.
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
When we are dead, we no longer respond to our carnal minds or engage in the same activities we once did. Thus, our old way of life dying is the other side of the same sword that is bringing forth eternal life. We are now children of the holy and blessed First Resurrection, being raised with Christ. We strive for the prize of the high calling in Christ.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Isa 58:14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
The Cost of Our New Life in Christ
Salvation is very costly, and we are only made willing to pay the price by the hand of the Lord. Eventually, we are learning that, as the Scriptures show, it is costing us everything to follow the Lord and find our new life. The pulls and bondage to our flesh and a carnal world run much deeper than we first understood. We vastly underestimate the costs to be paid and the fiery trials needed to be experienced to become a disciple of Christ and to be counted faithful. The rich young ruler, that is all of us at first, clings to the spiritual riches accumulated before his encounter with the Living Christ, that is the Gospel. Our true treasure in heaven is having and walking out the mind of Christ, the Holy Commandments of the Father. The Lord changes us through His Grace, His indwelling Spirit within our hearts and minds. Without Christ, we can do nothing.
Luk 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Luk 18:23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
Luk 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
The poor in Spirit are the blessed. We do not serve two tables; the Spirit of Christ, the Comforter alone, is exalted in this Day of the Lord. The man of sin within is destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming. A poor man in Spirit has sold, lost, or given away all of their spiritual riches to follow Christ. It is impossible in our strength to let go and sell everything. Yet thankfully, with God, all things are possible. Even a rich man can enter the Kingdom of God when we are caused to pick up our cross and follow Christ. We receive a hundredfold following Christ, that is to say, when we obey Him.
Luk 6:20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed be ye poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.
Mar 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Mar 10:26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
Mar 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Mar 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
Mar 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
Mar 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The more we mature in following Christ, the higher the bar and the greater our understanding of these costs. The Lord’s way is not to show us all of these costs upfront, when we are young, but rather to show us in our latter end, after the Faith of Christ is come. The angels of the Lord, those that preach the Gospel, open the seals of the Book and make known the mystery of the Gospel, which are His Commandments. Walking out Christ’s Commandments brings about the fire, and that is how we lose our lives.
Joh 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Mar 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Christ gave up everything on the cross, and we are following after Him in losing our lives, because as He is, so are we. The simplicity of losing our lives is clouded at first by our failure to grasp just how high the cost is. This is every man’s cross to carry, those who are called by His Name. We are told to count the cost. We are being raised up on our third spiritual day, and everything is made new through the latter rain, which is the Father and Christ coming into our hearts and minds. Christ causes us to count the cost and makes us worthy to give it all up.
Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Luk 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
Luk 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Luk 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Luk 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Hos 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Hos 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
The symbols of eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood are spiritual and speak to us of losing our lives. For many in this age, these costs are too much to bear, and they do not continue walking with the Lord. They have not been chosen before the foundation of the world.
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
Those who mind worldly things think the Lord’s true people strange and speak evil of us, just as they did to Christ. Enduring this rejection and persecution is part of losing our lives.
1Pe 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Nothing is happenstance in the lives of God’s people. The Lord has declared every day and every event in advance, and we are just living them out [Psa 139:16, Isa 46:10]. These afflictions we suffer are light when considering the eternal weight of glory that is being produced within us. We have the Lord’s Commandments; this is the crown of the anointing oil. Always think spiritually when you read the Scriptures.
2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
2Co 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
Lev 21:12 Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.
The increasing isolation from the world within and without is well known to the Lord’s true disciples, as we are set apart to the Lord. We are not surprised by this isolation, as our inheritance is in the Lord and not in the world within and without. Christ told us beforehand that this would be the case.
Luk 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Deu 10:9 Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.
Those who oppose the Lord’s true people [within and without] are those of our own household. This includes both physical family and spiritual fathers and mothers who nursed us early on. To be worthy of Christ, we are being made to suffer these things. The Lord was rejected and sent to be crucified by the Jews, His own people, and by all.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Elijah and Paul both write of this isolation and rejection by their brethren. There remains a remnant in every generation set apart for His purposes. We have escaped as we have the Testimony of Christ.
Mic 4:7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
In Closing
We encourage all to continue and stand strong in the Faith of Christ, keeping the Commandments of God. We learn to take negative and carnal thoughts captive and look for the salvation the Lord is working out in our lives, saving us from death. We are being saved in this age, and these truths are the true knowledge and Power of God and Christ at work in our lives today and every day as long as we are here, Lord willing. We obtain wisdom and understanding, and we bless the Father and the Son for their loving kindness bestowed on us. We are the household of David in type and shadow.
1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Psa 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Psa 119:35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Psa 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
1Ki 3:6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
Do not forget to do the Commandments of Christ. It is the saving of our souls.
Receive ye the Gospel, receive ye the Holy Spirit.