RECKON IT CRUCIFIED

(Post by: Lilly Hobbs)

The last time I wrote to you, I was busy contemplating the radical call to die to self which Jesus gives to His disciples not long before His crucifixion. In fact, I pointed out that Luke 9:23-24 makes it clear that dying to ourselves is a prerequisite to following Jesus wholeheartedly.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is what the normal Christian life looks like.

Since I began more seriously contemplating this topic a few weeks ago, I have had what has seemed like an abundance of opportunities to pick up my cross and die to myself. I believe this is what scares humanity most about Christianity. The fact that it requires us to surrender, to renounce our own attitude of reservation, not just daily, but at times hourly.

Personally, much of this sanctification process has recently been taking place in my prayer life.

“Lord, please” are two words I find myself uttering multiple times a day, and more often than not, those two words are all I can seem to pray over the people/situations in my own little corner of the world.

Everything just feels so heavy right now. Maybe you’re feeling that same kind of overwhelm?

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if the Lord would just give us more clarity, more answers, that our souls would be set at ease. However, what I have found to be true in my own life is that what I really need is more trust, not more clarity.

A. W. Tozer once said, “God must do everything for us. Our part is to yield and trust. We must confess, forsake, and repudiate the self-life, and then reckon it crucified.”

I think one of the true marks of a Christian who has been crucified with Christ, and who is no longer living for their own comfort, is that they regularly pray illogical, crazy prayers that don’t make one lick of sense in the minds of those operating with a worldly mindset.

“Lord, please” is an illogical, crazy prayer because it is one that can only be prayed from a heart that recognizes there is no other worldly solution or answer to run to. We know if Jesus doesn’t intervene, we’re in trouble.

You see, this is what complete trust in our great God does in us. It transforms not only our daily lifestyle, but it changes the very mindset we have about our circumstances, trials, and hardships.

When you pray what seem to be bold, illogical prayers as a result of an unwavering trust in who God is and what He can do because of who He is, you have transferred from the worldly realm to the Heavenly realm.

That’s exactly where you need to be.

If you do not reckon your life as crucified with Christ, then unwavering trust is not merely difficult, it is impossible.

We live in enemy-occupied territory, and one of the Devil’s most used tactics is our very own selfishness and desire for complete control over our lives. Our desire for control can override our desire to surrender, which results in us getting stuck in a cycle of self-sourcing. This is not true Christianity.

Psalm 9:10 says, “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

Jesus knows better than any of us what it means to reckon your life as crucified. He had complete trust in His Father’s will and plan for Him. Now, He asks the same of us, promising never to leave us or forsake us.

You and I can pray what the world tries to tell us are illogical, crazy prayers because our God is trustworthy. He has proven His faithfulness to us time and time again. Will we not ask Him to do what only He can do?

“If your prayers aren’t scaring you, they aren’t scaring the enemy.”  – Unknown