Emanna for 01/05/2021

Asceticism versus the Cross of Christ (3)

Bible Verses

Col 2:20 If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances?

Words of Ministry

[Part 3 of 3]
Apart from God's one way, we should have no ordinances and no particular ways or practices. The way God has ordained, uplifted, and honored is the cross of Christ. The cross is our only way. Do you know what can solve the problem of quarreling between husband and wife? It can be solved only by the cross. All the saints must learn to daily pass through the cross. By passing through all manner of crosses, large and small, we shall have oneness and harmony in the church life. In order to have a sweet harmonious oneness, we all must daily pass through the cross. Do not argue that you are right and that others are wrong. The more you dispute in this way, the less you pass through the cross. Do not avoid any cross. On the contrary, pass through all the crosses you encounter in the Christian life, in the family life, and in the church life. In married life and in the church life in particular, you need to pass through the cross daily, even hourly. In Ephesians 4 Paul exhorts us not to allow the sun to go down on our anger. This means that we should let go of our anger by passing through the cross. If we have a daily life of passing through the cross, there will be harmony both in the family life and in the church life. Praise the Lord for Christ and the cross! God has given us one Person-- the all-inclusive Christ--and one way--the cross.

Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry, from Witness Lee, Life- study of Colossians, pp. 217-218. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. (Repeat 3/17/2000) Please visit us at www.emanna.com Comments to: comment@emanna.com.