by Rev. Dr. Robert L. Harrison
Praise the Lord saints.
Taking the Church away from the Word as our basis for doing and using something different made us powerless not powerful. The spiritual power is in the word and it is seen when it is applied in our lives.
Deuteronomy 4:2: “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything from it” (also Deuteronomy 12:32, Rev 22: 18-19). The reason God says this is because “The entirety of Your word is truth” (Psalms 119: 160). Why do we settle for a portion of the truth instead of the pure truth?
Discipleship is far more important than what is used today. Jesus taught those who followed him, “Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27). A person carrying his cross entered into suffering. Without reproach, without dying to self, we cannot learn from him. Today’s church teaches blessings with no self denial but self exaltation. Luke 9:23: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” This is not a single decision but a lifestyle. The cross we carry is a crucified life, to ourselves and the world.
Our bodies are a dedicated temple which we present as a living sacrifice to our God, as we present ourselves––heart, mind, body, and strength in service to Him throughout the day, not just when we attend church.
Paul “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorted them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). This Greek word for tribulations (thlipsis) means pressures. Anytime one goes against the flow of the world there is resistance, trials come. This is what it means to be a disciple and carry the cross.
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Source: the Weekly Challenger
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