| Galatians 5:24 24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh [the sinful nature] with its passions and desires [lusts and affections].6 [After your sinful nature has been put to death on the inward cross of self-denial, then you belong to Christ as you walk in love, following the Spirit, fulfilling the law; and then you receive an imputed righteousness. Having suffered on the cross, you no longer live the rest of your time in the lusts of men, but you live to the will of God, 1 Pet 4:1-2; which is to be obediently led and guided by the Spirit in thoughts, words, and deeds. From the Word of the Lord within: "The purpose of this website is to teach you how to carry your cross."] | Galatians 2:20 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.3 And the life, which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [Christendom, with no knowledge of how to carry a cross, presumes that they have been crucified with Christ by imputation, which is make-believe Christianity. You must mortify your sinful nature on the inward cross of self denial so that you are freed of sin.] | 1 Corinthians 1:18 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing; but to us who are being saved the cross is the power of God.5 [Those who take up the inward cross of self-denial quickly experience the power of God to begin freeing them from sin. From the Word of the Lord within: "With the true gospel there is ample proof along the way. There are many that deny the cross and all that is necessary. He who is not on the cross is not worthy of me. The purpose of this website is to teach you how to carry your cross. Every man that comes, must come through the cross;—I say every man!"] | 1 Peter 2:21 21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps. [You must be a partaker [sharer] of Christ's sufferings; 1 Pet 4:12-13. Indeed, all who are determined to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Tim 3:12. For it is given to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake. Phil 1:29. From the Word of the Lord within: "I would just as soon have avoided that horrible death. I did it to show you the extent of obedience required for your own salvation. You shall suffer persecution when you lead a godly life. Any of you whose sting to bear has been hard, use these facts: all have suffered before you; sin is excoriated; God will remove the burden in time; and the same is experienced by every cleanliness-desired heart in the nations."] | ||||||