Enjoying Christ to Apply the Cross (2)

Enjoying Christ to Apply the Cross (2)The crucified Christ can be applied to all manner of humanexperiences. Within this crucified Christ there are theelements of resurrection and ascension. Thus, when we enjoythe crucified Christ, we also enjoy His resurrection andascension. The key to experiencing the resurrection andascension of Christ is found in Christ's crucifixion.Crucifixion is the threshold into all the riches of Christ.The cross is the way to experience Christ with all His riches.Apart from Christ's crucifixion, there is no gateway for us toenter into the riches of Christ.When we experience the crucified Christ, we are terminated.All that we are, all that we have, and all that we can do--allis completely terminated. To be terminated, there is no needfor you to crucify yourself. There is not even any need foryou to reckon yourself dead. You are terminated simply byexperiencing the crucified Christ. Actually, it is impossiblefor anyone to crucify himself. But when we call on the name ofthe Lord Jesus, as we are enjoying Him and experiencing Him,His crucifixion will terminate us. All that we are isterminated by this crucified Christ.Crucifixion is the way for us to be delivered from the flesh,the natural life, and the old creation. Christ crucified is not only the power; He is also the way. To the Jews, such aChrist is an offense, and to the Greeks, He is foolishness.But to us who have been called, the crucified Christ is God'spower and God's wisdom for us to be delivered from allnegative things. We thank Him and praise Him that we are nowin the process of being saved. The more we are saved byexperiencing the crucified Christ, the more we enjoy Him.