Quote from Forum Archives on September 17, 2001, 8:34 am

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

In today's message, Neil Anderson offers some perspectives that
may be foreign to those coming from a different position. For
others, the words will ring true. It is my prayer that each of
us can and will embrace "The View From the Cross".

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Reply-to: Neil Anderson <neilanderson@lists.crosswalk.com>
Subject: Neil Anderson Devotional for Sunday, September 16, 2001

N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

September 16 THE VIEW FROM THE CROSS

Whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses
his life for My sake shall find it. For what will a man be
profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul?
Matthew 16:25, 26).

Three guidelines from these verses summarize the view from the
cross, which we must adopt to counteract the self-centered
worldview promoted by the god of this world.

First, we must sacrifice the lower life to gain the higher life.
If you want to save your natural life (i.e., find your identity
and sense of self-worth in positions, titles, accomplishments and
possessions and seek only worldly well-being), you will lose it.

At best you can only possess these temporal values for a
lifetime, only to lose everything for eternity.

Furthermore, in all your efforts to possess these earthly
treasures, you will fail to gain all that can be yours in Christ.

Shoot for this world and that's all you'll get, and eventually
you will lose even that. But shoot for the next world and God
will throw in the benefits of knowing Him in this present life as
well. Paul put it this way: "Discipline yourself for the purpose
of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but
godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise
for the present life and also for the life to come" (1 Timothy
4:7, 8).

Second, sacrifice the pleasure of things to gain the pleasure of
life. What would you accept in trade for the fruit of the Spirit
in your life? What material possession, what amount of money,
what position or title would you exchange for the love, joy,
peace and patience that you enjoy in Christ? "Nothing," we all
probably agree. Victory over self comes as we learn to love
people and use things instead of using people and loving things.
Third, sacrifice the temporal to gain the eternal. Possibly the
greatest sign of spiritual maturity is the ability to postpone
rewards. It is far better to know that we are the children of God
than to gain anything that the world calls valuable. Even if
following Christ results in hardships in this life, He will make
it right in eternity.

Heavenly Father, You alone are God. Help me to choose the higher
life today instead of seeking the pleasures of this world.

-----------
This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
< www.ficm.org/ >.

You can purchase "Daily in Christ" and other titles by Neil
Anderson at christianbook.com (Christian Book Distributors -
CBD).

< shopping.crosswalk.com/bye/devo_na > Additional
devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
< devotionals.crosswalk.com/ >.

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=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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