Apart from the Cross

November 17

“I determined not to know anything among you
except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
-1 CORINTHIANS 2:2

We can quote these teachings of Jesus, seek to imitate Him as our Example, strive to walk the narrow Way, and even accomplish many good deeds in His Name. But apart from the Cross these activities are wood, hay and stubble.

In calling us to come back to the Cross, God is asking us to lay down our lives and embrace the Wisdom of death, burial, resurrection, and ascension in order to live as sons and daughters within the Kingdom of God. Apart from the Cross we can neither enter the Kingdom nor live in the Spirit, no matter how great the desire. For apart from the Cross, we do not know what it is to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us. Apart from the Cross, we do not know what it is to submit to the will of God, accept suffering, and cast ourselves upon Him. Apart from the Cross, we do not know what Resurrection is.

Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

Chip Brogden

CHIP BROGDEN is a best-selling author, teacher, and former pastor who shares "real, simple, truth" about a Christ-centered faith that is based on relationship, not religion. Learn more »

4 Comments

Samuel on Nov 19 at 2:41 pm

This leaves me with a responsibility of seeking the Lord more, because I know I really need to walk in the Light of this…

Thank you Bro. Chip. More grace to be faithful to our Soon Coming King….
Love to your family sir…

Richard on Nov 21 at 4:23 am

Hi Chip,

I am finding this to be so true, i am recently married and it has been a real struggle, i tried everything in my own strength to sort it and forgot about Jesus, now i have handed it all over to HIM and now our relationship is blossoming, Apart from Christ we were going nowhere, it was all a waste of effort, now we pray everyday, read our Bible, talk to each other in a way we could not before because we now allow God to do it for us. We are dying to ourselves on a daily basis and God is blessing us in a way we have never seen before. He is resurrecting us both individually and as a couple. I am beginning to understand that i have already been resurrected and have to submit and surrender myself every moment to Gods will so He can dress me daily instead of doing it myself.

Carina on Nov 18 at 4:57 pm

Richard,
I’ve been there too! Tomorrow it will be 12 years since my wedding and we’ve experienced many crises and “resurrections” in our relationship with God and each other. At times, it seems we wouldn’t make it, but God has been faithful and we’re stronger than ever.
We’re also experiencing revival in our relationship with our 7-year-old. As we seek God, we’re finding our boy is becoming more obedient and loving.
May the Lord bless you and keep you in His ways always!
Reply

Carina on Nov 18 at 4:58 pm

Such a necessary exhortation, brother!
May we learn to live in this constant process of dying and coming back to resurrection life!

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Samuel on Nov 19 at 2:41 pm

This leaves me with a responsibility of seeking the Lord more, because I know I really need to walk in the Light of this…

Thank you Bro. Chip. More grace to be faithful to our Soon Coming King….
Love to your family sir…
Richard on Nov 21 at 4:23 am

Hi Chip,

I am finding this to be so true, i am recently married and it has been a real struggle, i tried everything in my own strength to sort it and forgot about Jesus, now i have handed it all over to HIM and now our relationship is blossoming, Apart from Christ we were going nowhere, it was all a waste of effort, now we pray everyday, read our Bible, talk to each other in a way we could not before because we now allow God to do it for us. We are dying to ourselves on a daily basis and God is blessing us in a way we have never seen before. He is resurrecting us both individually and as a couple. I am beginning to understand that i have already been resurrected and have to submit and surrender myself every moment to Gods will so He can dress me daily instead of doing it myself.
- Carina on Nov 18 at 4:57 pm
  
  Richard,
  I’ve been there too! Tomorrow it will be 12 years since my wedding and we’ve experienced many crises and “resurrections” in our relationship with God and each other. At times, it seems we wouldn’t make it, but God has been faithful and we’re stronger than ever.
  We’re also experiencing revival in our relationship with our 7-year-old. As we seek God, we’re finding our boy is becoming more obedient and loving.
  May the Lord bless you and keep you in His ways always!
Carina on Nov 18 at 4:58 pm

Such a necessary exhortation, brother!
May we learn to live in this constant process of dying and coming back to resurrection life!