“His Voice Today”
April 5
🔸️ The Cross that brings Christ’s Glory! 🔸️
There are differences between temptations and tribulations. The inducement of doing sin is the temptation! Tribulations induce our “self”!
Many Christians consider sin as “black colour”, but they never consider “self” or “self-interests”, “self-rights”, “self-honors”, “self-justifications”…etc. which are part of their own lives. They never see them as “black colour” parallel to sin. This is because, the world does not consider it as sin when fighting for their justice, fighting for their rights, and cautious in not loosing their self-esteem.
Attainment of “death of the flesh” in temptation, leads us to overcome sin. Attainment of “death of self” in the tribulations brings us the glory of Christ or His image!
We read in Hebrews 2:9 that our forerunner, our Captain Lord Jesus Christ, “tasted death (both the two kinds of death) fully by the grace of Lord.” It’s impossible for Christians, who do not die for their sins by the grace of God, can never come to the place of “dying to self”!
For us, who join with the army of Jesus Christ, the war begins only when we enter into the various circumstances and sufferings of this worldly life. This war is not a war against humans and situations! But we thank the Lord for all circumstances and for all men!
Yes, we are waging war against the mighty self that arises from us, through men and circumstances!
We, the soldiers of our Captain Jesus Christ must “deny ourselves” (denying self) and take up the Cross (the weapon that brings ‘death to self’) “daily” and follow Him. (Luke 9:23).
Prayer:
Heavenly Father! You have shown us the way to inherit Christ’s glory through the tribulations and through our crucifixion! Praises be to You! Give us the strength to follow the Master! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
