“And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23.

It is an abomination to the worldly system to deny one’s intellect, talents and abilities to achieve that which is desired.  It is foolishness to the flesh to deny ourselves for that which we want.

“For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.

To God’s System, His prescribed order of victory, it is an abomination to depend upon ourselves; our intellect, talent and abilities, to achieve that which is desired according to His Will.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

Sadly, the majority of the modern church are applying the world’s prescribed order to obtain that which the Believer desires.  By their actions they have rendered the Cross of Christ insufficient to supply all of their needs according to His riches in glory and sought vain philosophies to engage their abilities, intellect, etc. to obtain that which God Will’s to freely give by faith through grace…faith in the Son of God.

“²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives 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.

²¹ I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:20-21

Fighting the good fight of faith, faith in the finished work of the Cross of Christ, is God’s Prescribed Order of victory over the world, the flesh and the devil…not us nor our efforts.  Fight the good fight.  We must recognize how we receive the preaching of the Cross of Christ.  If it seems foolish while the worldly system is readily accepted, we are walking after the flesh.

“⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6

-Donna Clark Warren