TOMA TÚ CRUZ Y SIGUE AL SEÑOR | WATCHMAN NEE

The Cross: A Necessary Experience for Believers

Understanding the Two Types of Crosses

• The cross that believers celebrate is not the same as the one that destroys our soul's life; this latter cross is often avoided but essential for spiritual growth.

• This second cross represents personal denial, inner brokenness, and silence in the face of injustice, stripping away false identities to conform us to Christ.

The Spiritual Necessity of Embracing the Cross

• Jesus emphasized that following Him requires self-denial and daily acceptance of one's cross (Luke 9:23), indicating a profound spiritual experience rather than mere symbolism.

• Without embracing this cross, believers may exhibit zeal without true spiritual fruit or knowledge without revelation, leading to a lack of genuine life in Christ.

The Process of Transformation Through Suffering

• True transformation occurs when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us through the work of the cross, as articulated by Paul in Galatians 2:20 about being crucified with Christ.

• The natural instinct is to resist death; however, embracing the cross leads to humility and strength from the Spirit instead of reliance on our own abilities.

Living Out the Reality of Daily Crucifixion

• Each believer must recognize that while they possess the Holy Spirit, He cannot govern if their soul remains unbroken and self-reliant.

• The path God lays out does not involve living for Him through our strength but rather allowing His strength to manifest through our surrender.

Recognizing Opportunities for Growth Through Trials

• Many believers experience frustration not due to lack of prayer or scripture reading but because their souls have not undergone crucifixion; they serve God from a place of self-sufficiency rather than surrender.

• True authority comes from suffering under God's hand rather than from knowledge or ministry experience; it involves an internal process where God breaks down our souls to free our spirits.

The Path of the Cross: Embracing Suffering for Spiritual Growth

Understanding the Role of Suffering in Spiritual Maturity

• The essence of spiritual growth lies not in avoiding suffering but in embracing it as a means to reduce the natural self, allowing the spirit to manifest Christ. This process is learned through daily obedience and acceptance of God's dealings, even when they are incomprehensible.

• True learning involves silence when one wishes to speak, waiting instead of acting impulsively, and yielding control when tempted to dominate. This narrow path is essential yet often avoided by many believers who fear suffering more than sin itself.

• Believers often seek refuge in logic and self-protection rather than surrendering fully to God’s will. A mature spirit does not protect itself but willingly submits, which stems from a deep work of the cross within them. This submission is not an act of heroism but a profound transformation through suffering.

• The ultimate goal is losing one's identity so that Christ becomes the sole source of life; as individuals mature spiritually, they demand less understanding from others and justify themselves less because they recognize that the cross requires no defense or explanation.

• When true death occurs within an area of one's soul due to crucifixion with Christ, that area experiences peace without anxiety or demands for recognition—this rest signifies that Christ's life operates where our souls have been diminished. Many believers struggle with cycles of crisis because they resist this transformative process initiated by the Spirit through the cross.

The Principle of Death Leading to Life

• Jesus articulated this principle in John 12:24: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." This encapsulates the spiritual truth that dying leads to living abundantly; losing oneself results in gaining true life and inheritance.

• Many believers question why their prayers go unanswered or why they do not experience God's power; these issues stem from failing to engage with practical aspects of carrying one’s cross—experiences that challenge pride and ego without divine intervention during trials such as betrayal or abandonment.

• Hebrews 5:8 emphasizes that even Jesus learned obedience through suffering; thus, if He had to endure pain for growth, we must also embrace our own sufferings as part of our spiritual formation journey—without experiencing brokenness there can be no genuine obedience or expansion of spirit.

Breaking Free from Self

• Watchman Nee illustrated believers as almonds encased in hard shells—the inner life exists but is trapped until broken open by God’s processes involving people and circumstances designed for soul-breaking moments necessary for spiritual freedom. Each time we choose silence over speaking out or yielding instead of asserting control contributes to breaking down this shell so Christ can flow freely within us.

• This internal breaking process requires discernment and perseverance—it cannot be rushed nor taken lightly since accepting one’s cross is a daily commitment (Luke 9:23). It involves recognizing personal areas where we cling too tightly to our lives while responding positively each day leads us closer toward deeper living through dying—a divine paradox essential for maturity in faith.

In summary, embracing suffering through daily acts of surrender allows believers to grow spiritually by reducing their natural selves so that Christ may live fully within them—a challenging yet rewarding journey towards true discipleship.

The Path to Being Used by God

The Necessity of the Cross

• True usefulness in God's service requires a journey through the cross, not merely emotional readiness.

• Spiritual preparation is essential; without being broken, one cannot carry God's glory effectively.

• A transformed life means living not for oneself but for Christ, as emphasized by Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:3.

The Dangers of Success Without the Cross

• Success without undergoing the cross can lead to spiritual pride and reliance on human logic rather than divine guidance.

• Increased religious activity does not equate to spiritual effectiveness if it lacks a foundation in the spirit.

The Role of Natural Virtues

• Even natural virtues must be surrendered at the cross; otherwise, they hinder spiritual expression.

• Human strengths can deceive believers into thinking they are useful without having undergone necessary breaking.

The Process of Transformation

• God takes time to work on individuals until their will is surrendered and pride is diminished.

• Many servants used by God have faced significant trials that shaped their character and ministry.

Hidden Wounds and True Service

• Genuine servants bear deep wounds from faithfulness rather than public failures or scandals.

• These hidden struggles often occur within relationships, revealing true character when faced with challenges.

Embracing Difficult Relationships

• Difficult interactions serve as opportunities for growth and transformation through humility and surrender.

The Spiritual Significance of the Cross

• The cross represents a departure from societal acceptance; it leads to isolation where true revelation occurs.

Finding Purpose in Suffering

• In moments of reduction and misunderstanding, believers should seek out what God may be doing through their suffering.

• Each death experienced at the cross serves as a seed for future resurrection, emphasizing that deeper sacrifices yield greater spiritual fruit.

Understanding the Cross and Spiritual Growth

Misinterpretation of God's Actions

• The believer who does not understand the cross misinterprets divine situations, labeling God's pruning as enemy attacks, injustice as mistreatment, and spiritual gain as loss.

• With the light of the cross, what empties us is seen as a gift; Paul gloried in his weaknesses because Christ's power rested upon him (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The Path to True Life

• The Christian journey has three stages: living for oneself, learning to die to oneself, and finally allowing Christ to live freely within.

• Many remain stuck in the first stage, leading active but uncrucified lives—religious yet lacking spiritual depth.

Confronting Self and Embracing the Cross

• God allows challenging circumstances that confront our ego; these are opportunities for growth rather than punishment.

• The cross is presented not as an imposition but as a continuous choice—daily we choose between self-denial or self-defense.

Knowing Christ Through Suffering

• True knowledge of Christ comes through participation in His sufferings (Philippians 3:10); many desire His power without embracing His brokenness.

• In God's economy, suffering precedes elevation; biblical figures like Joseph and Moses were shaped through years of hardship before their exaltation.

The Process of Divine Preparation

• God takes time to prepare instruments for His work; while He can use them quickly, He prioritizes quality over quantity in our character development.

• Delays in ministry or personal progress often signify deeper work being done by God beneath the surface.

Depth Over Speed in Spiritual Growth

• While our souls crave quick results, God focuses on deepening our roots; true unity among believers arises when egos are crucified.

Crucifixion Leads to True Community

• Conflict arises when souls govern relationships; however, when individuals embrace the cross, harmony can flourish within communities.

• Genuine edification occurs not through uniformity of thought but through collective self-denial for Christ’s centrality.