IDENTIFIED AS BELONGING TO CHRIST. Paul stated that he had been crucified with Christ. That is an act of full surrender to the Lord. In the natural, there is no esthetic attraction to the cross. The cross was not a thing of beauty to behold. It is a place and an experience that must be visited. Not only for salvation but also as a source where the carnal life is put to death. < I am crucified with Christ >. This is a must for every member of the body of Christ. The only way that we can achieve His likeness is to follow the pattern of His life. The Spirit of the Lord will live that complete new life in the church, providing the old life is conquered. The old and the new cannot mix, with both being active at one and the same time. One or the other will be predominate and will rule. Gal. 2:20
DEATH, BY WATER BAPTISM. This too is extremely necessary to the spiritual growth of each member of the body of Christ. It is not an option. It is a commandment. It is an imperative and may not be bypassed. It is strongly associated with believing unto salvation for Jesus said: He that believeth and IS BAPTISED shall be saved. As baptism without faith is ineffective so faith without baptism is insufficient. Neither will of themselves accomplish the necessary result. They must be combined and performed for a full and complete work of salvation. Mark 16:16 Water baptism is an extremely essential act on behalf of everyone who would be a member of the body of Christ and ultimately a part of His Bride. Water baptism is a means whereby we are placed < into > His death. It is then, a part of the process of dying to the natural, carnal man. We are buried WITH HIM. Strongly identified with HIM in His death. Then gloriously raised with Him in the power of His resurrection. His life of resurrection is to be formulated and displayed in our present life. Resurrection life is the life that conquerors all sin and unrighteousness. It is triumphant over every sickness and disease. It is the manifestation of that , NEW LIFE, in Christ Jesus. His life is now the life that we live. All the promises of the Word are exercised and fulfilled in those who have touched this life of CHRIST. The destruction of the old man of sin completely eradicates the old man and its useless life. Rom. 6:4-6
BUILD THE TEMPLE ACCORDING TO THE BLUEPRINT. To deviate from the plan is to displease the architect. The materials must be the very best available. There is no acceptance of any workmanship that is inferior. It was the Lord that was to dwell in the finished Tabernacle of Moses. Moses conveyed perfectly the vision of the tabernacle to the workmen, by divine intervention they made it perfect, according to the proposed plan. Ex. 25:9 If that tabernacle in the wilderness required such meticulous work and absolute perfection, HOW MUCH MORE, the true Temple of the Lord. The pattern is spelled out to us in the volume of the Word. We are required to build accordingly.