Quote:
Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!
I've always struggled a bit with the concept and the application of the cross. I've realized for many years I held a most laborious and religious concept around it, and therefore generally practiced avoidance of the topic. Yet I knew it was something critical to the Christian life and have often prayed to be given light. Recently, I think the Lord has been showing me that I've been making it much more complicated than it should be.
In my morning time today a couple devotionals spoke to me about experiencing the cross. Then later I had a simple "demonstration" via the Anointing.
But before I tell you more about this, I wanted to put it out there for fellowship to see how my realization lines up with others. So what is your understanding of the concept and application of the cross in your life?
|
StG,
Can you first give scriptural “evidence” that Christians “experience the cross”? Of course, in the New Testament we are frequently told to “take up our cross” which indicates we have a cross to bear. We have sufferings as Christians, but “rain falls on the just and the unjust.” I don’t find verses to support “experience the cross” as something we are commanded to do. We have a cross to bear, take it and follow Him.
Is it possible that your question/concern is grounded in the unique teachings of Witness Lee? Lee often took “descriptions” of events in Scripture and “prescribed” actions as though they were scriptural commands.
When studying the Bible, it is important to determine whether the verse or passage at hand is descriptive or prescriptive. The difference is this: a passage is descriptive if it is simply describing something that happened, while a passage in prescriptive if it is specifically teaching that something should happen. Simply put, is it a description or a command? Is the passage describing something (it happened) or is it prescribing something (it should happen)? The difference is important. When a biblical passage is only describing something but is interpreted as prescribing something, it can lead to errant thinking and behavior..
https://www.gotquestions.org/descrip...scriptive.html
Lee was prone to complicating the simple gospel of Jesus Christ. Lee’s teachings were often so complex that we were dependent on him for interpretation and explanation on how to practice what he preached. (One church, one city for example.) This was a way to control us and make us depend on Lee.
Figuring out the “how to’s” is a real crazy-maker. (How to do “church”?)
Nell