“I have already been crucified with Christ already, dead people don’t carry crosses.” – Brook Potter
The only Spirit that never left Jesus alone during his ministry was the Religious Spirit. Even Satan departed for a season (Luke 4:13). The Goal of every religious spirit is to put the focus of your relationship with God back on you, rather on what Christ has done. Religion always talks about your devotion, your obedience, your duty, your giving, your love for God, etc.
The Gospel is Good news, that we have been freed from all of that, by the finished Work of Christ, and the Cross that He bore. Jesus Christ has already satisfied the requirements of the Law, and has already done all the things religion demands both for us, and as us. Yet, many believers still do not understand the dividing line between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, nor do they understand the relationship between Jesus and the Law. As such, many are living with an unnatural mix of law and grace that leaves people burnt out and frustrated with their walk as believers.
One such account that has caused much confusion, is when Jesus called for his Disciples to take up their Cross and Follow Him. (Mark 8:34) In the Context, this verses is being spoken to the disciples under the Law, about physical martyrdom. Willing to lay down one’s life what they believed to be true of Jesus, that he was the Messiah.
Carrying Crosses is not really a term for New Covenant Believers who have already died with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14). the desire to lay down one’s life is born naturally from heart. It was Paul’s desire and the desire of many in the early Church to lay down their lives for Jesus. In the new covenant, no one needs to tell you to carry the cross, you are already living a crucified life.
Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
If you are struggling and find yourself thinking that the life of the believer is difficult and hard, you may be struggling with some traditions of men, and religious obligations that have no part in the Glorious Gospel that says It is Finished.
Before the death of Christ, take up your cross, and live a life of Sacrifice and Obedience; after the Cross, Jesus has already taken the burden, and we live a Life of Faith in the abundant life he has Purchased for us (John 10:10).The heart of Religious Spirits is to always use guilt, manipulation or charisma to get us into works of righteousness.
Religion says we must press into God, while the Gospel says God has pressed into us, and now lives in us. Religion says we must seek God with all our hearts, while the Gospel says He Drew us to Himself and we’ve been found by Him (John 6:44 ). Religion says, Deny yourself because you are wicked and sinful, The Gospel Says, Do all that is in your heart for God’s Spirit lives in you, and You have been Made the righteousness of God By His Blood (2 Corinthians 5:21). Religion Says Live Right or God Won’t Bless you, The Gospel says He has already blessed us with all things for life and Godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Religion Says you need to ask God for Forgiveness, when the Gospel says we have been Forgiven while we were yet sinners, by the Blood of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:13).
Be Free, the Gospel really is Almost too Good to be True News.