Fall 1982
Crucifixion
Seeley D. Kinne

Man as he is in his present fallen state is separated from and independent of God. This is an abnormal condition, since he was created to be a habitation or temple of God, a place for God to operate and manifest Himself. But in his perverted state, man’s heart attitude inclines away from God. His will is rebellious, stubborn and wayward.

God uses various means and processes to deliver and restore man. Among these is what is called crucifixion. Spiritually speaking, crucifixion is not the destruction of any faculty or power of man. The trouble with man is that he is in a state of independent activity. These independent activities separate us from God and have to be broken up and eliminated. This is done by the processes of the Holy Spirit.

The first of these operations comes as what may be called the negative side of the Spirit Baptism, as described in Romans 6:1-15. It is named “dead to sin,” “baptized into His death,” “buried,” “planted,” “old man crucified with him,” “body of sin destroyed.” On account of the Pentecostal ministry becoming shallow and lacking power, many receiving the Spirit baptism in recent years have little depth, and lack in crucifixion. If the old-time power is to be fully restored there must be deep crucifixion accompanying it. God’s people will then be very different in quality.

To remedy such a lack of depth and power, there is only one answer, that is, earnest seeking of God and taking up the cross given us. Until we are crucified with Christ, we are not fit for large or deep exercise of the gifts. Gifts often cause undiscovered traits to be exposed for the Lord to deal with. Exercising gifts with purity requires the working of the Cross.

Crucifixion with Christ is not wrought by self-devised works of penance or severe austerities, but by the Holy Spirit; if being under the sway of the Spirit, you are putting your old bodily habits to death, you will live (Romans 8:13).

The old man is crucified by the direction and operation of the Holy Spirit; that is by the cross of Christ, which is by the power of God working in man bringing him to proper relation with God. We are not to take or make a cross for ourselves, but to take the cross God made for us. We are by faith and obedience to accept these adverse and crucifying circumstances however bitter or uncomfortable they may be, saying, “I accept this from God and I reckon myself to be dead indeed to this distress and suffering.” This will bring joy, victory and peace, and effect a separation from the flesh, to walk by the Spirit.

The crucifying processes are described as the “fuller’s soap,” “refiner’s fire,” “fan,” “scourge,” and “chastisement.” These processes are exactly adapted by Diving wisdom to one’s peculiar characteristics, and if rightly taken will accomplish destruction of fleshly tendencies.

These processes can arise from relations with our family, the shop, the church, through finances, friends, reputation, health and other sorts of trials; these all can bring about very crucifying conditions in our lives.

Thereby are we conformed to the will of God and made Christ-like. This is the way we are brought on by the Lord past stubborn tendencies so that we can say, “I have come both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”