--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We must invite the Cross to do its deadly…" description: "\"We must invite the Cross to do its deadly work within before we can be free.\" — Aiden Wilson Tozer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b8/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_cross_we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadl_694444.png" --- # We must invite the Cross to do its deadly work within… ![“We must invite the Cross to do its deadly work within before we can be free.” quote by Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b8/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_cross_we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadl_694444.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b8/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_cross_we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadl_694444.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b8/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_cross_we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadl_694444.png) > “We must invite the Cross to do its deadly work within before we can be free.” [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We must let the transformative power of the Cross work inside us before we can experience true freedom. **In simple terms:** Let inner transformation happen before freedom. Key Takeaway Allow inner change first. Themes spirituality redemption freedom Mood reflective hopeful Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - personal crisis - spiritual awakening - addiction recovery - emotional healing Key Concepts Christian theology inner work Questions to Reflect On - What inner wounds must you confront? - How does surrender enable freedom? A Different Perspective Inner change may be painful and resisted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cross/) [Cross Deadly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cross-deadly-2711194/) [Crosses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crosses/) [Deadly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deadly/) [Deadly Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deadly-work-2683699/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Invite Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invite-cross-2711195/) [Invites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invites/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [“We must invite the cross to do its deadly work within us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadly-work-within-us/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [To live exhilaratingly in and for the moment is deadly serious work, fun of the most exhausting sort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-grizzuti-harrison/to-live-exhilaratingly-in-and-for-the-moment-is-deadly-serious-work/) [Barbara Grizzuti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-grizzuti-harrison/) > [What we need very badly these days is a company of Christians who are prepared to trust God as completely now as they know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/what-we-need-very-badly-these-days-is-a-company-of-christians-who-are/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Though the cross of Christ has been beautified by the poet and the artist, the avid seeker after God is likely to find it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/though-the-cross-of-christ-has-been-beautified-by-the-poet-and-the/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Christ calls us to carry the Cross; churches call us to have fun in His name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/christ-calls-us-to-carry-the-cross-churches-call-us-to-have-fun-in/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-old-cross-slew-men-the-new-cross-entertains-them-the-old-cross/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The man with a cross no longer controls his destiny; he lost control when he picked up his cross. That cross immediately became to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-man-with-a-cross-no-longer-controls-his-destiny-he-lost-control/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [We must do something about the cross, and there’s only one of two things we can do- flee it or die upon it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/we-must-do-something-about-the-cross-and-there-s-only-one-of-two/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Be hard on yourself and easy on others. Carry your own cross but never lay one on the back of another](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/be-hard-on-yourself-and-easy-on-others-carry-your-own-cross-but-never/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [There is no trap so deadly as the trap you set for yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/there-is-no-trap-so-deadly-as-the-trap-you-set-for-yourself/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [“Truth is a deadly weapon, Lady said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-cook/truth-is-a-deadly-weapon-lady-said/) [Glen Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-cook/) > [I can maneuver if I need to but I'm deadly in the pocket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-haskins/i-can-maneuver-if-i-need-to-but-i-m-deadly-in-the-pocket/) [Dwayne Haskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-haskins/) > [“Life is deadly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/life-is-deadly/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“Imagination is a deadly weapon, it pays to keep it sharp.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-conniff-allende/imagination-is-a-deadly-weapon-it-pays-to-keep-it-sharp/) [Sam Conniff Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-conniff-allende/) > [“Other folk thought the Rage was simple bloodlust, a berserk savagery that neither knew nor cared what its target was, and so it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-weber/other-folk-thought-the-rage-was-simple-bloodlust-a-berserk-savagery/) [David Weber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-weber/) ## More by Aiden Wilson Tozer > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [One thing the young Christian should be taught as quickly as possible after his conversion is that Jesus Christ is all he needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/one-thing-the-young-christian-should-be-taught-as-quickly-as-possible/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The idea that this world is a playground instead of a battleground has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of Christians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-idea-that-this-world-is-a-playground-instead-of-a-battleground/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Pay no heed to the passing religious vogue. Go back to the grass roots. Open your hearts and search the Scriptures. Bear your cross,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/pay-no-heed-to-the-passing-religious-vogue-go-back-to-the-grass-roots/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [To pray without expectation is to misunderstand the whole concept of prayer and relationship with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/to-pray-without-expectation-is-to-misunderstand-the-whole-concept-of/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [It's time for us to rise up, get out of the rut and routine, and begin to take our Christian faith seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/it-s-time-for-us-to-rise-up-get-out-of-the-rut-and-routine-and-begin/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The true Christian ideal is not to be happy but to be holy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-true-christian-ideal-is-not-to-be-happy-but-to-be-holy/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-goodness-of-god-is-infinitely-more-wonderful-than-we-will-ever-be/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [A holy man isn't aware that he's holy..As soon as we begin to talk about how holy we are, we aren't holy any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/a-holy-man-isn-t-aware-that-he-s-holy-as-soon-as-we-begin-to-talk/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [There is a strain of loneliness infecting many Christians, which only the presence of God can cure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/there-is-a-strain-of-loneliness-infecting-many-christians-which-only/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Where God is not glorified, that place is sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/where-god-is-not-glorified-that-place-is-sick/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Hope is the music of the whole Bible, the heartbeat, the pulse and the atmosphere of the whole Bible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/hope-is-the-music-of-the-whole-bible-the-heartbeat-the-pulse-and-the/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Christian liberty is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/christian-liberty-is-freedom-from-sin-not-freedom-to-sin/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Outside of the will of god, there is nothing I want. And in the will of god there is nothing I fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/outside-of-the-will-of-god-there-is-nothing-i-want-and-in-the-will-of/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) [Explore all 720 Aiden Wilson Tozer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) ## More Cross quotes > [Nothing teaches great writing like the very best books do. Yet, good teachers often help students cross that bridge, and I have to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-glass/nothing-teaches-great-writing-like-the-very-best-books-do-yet-good/) [Julia Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-glass/) > [I do enjoy intense, bloodthirsty action, but I like to blend and cross genres. I don't want to be too predictable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-marshall/i-do-enjoy-intense-bloodthirsty-action-but-i-like-to-blend-and-cross/) [Neil Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-marshall/) > [In the Christianity of Christendom the Cross has become something like the child’s hobby-horse and trumpet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-christianity-of-christendom-the-cross-has-become-something/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I know it's a film and all of that, and it's a Hollywood film, but it kind of feels like this sometimes, when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-marber/i-know-it-s-a-film-and-all-of-that-and-it-s-a-hollywood-film-but-it/) [Patrick Marber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-marber/) > [“You can always count on the promise of forever that He made when He died on that cross and rose again three days later.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naya-s/you-can-always-count-on-the-promise-of-forever-that-he-made-when-he/) [Naya S](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naya-s/) > [“My religious convictions and scientific views cannot at present be more specifically defined than as those of a believer in creative evolution. I desire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/my-religious-convictions-and-scientific-views-cannot-at-present-be/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [“To endure the cross is not a tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/to-endure-the-cross-is-not-a-tragedy-it-is-the-suffering-which-is-the/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I am interested in bringing Africa to the foot of the Cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhard-bonnke/i-am-interested-in-bringing-africa-to-the-foot-of-the-cross/) [Reinhard Bonnke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhard-bonnke/) > [There is a very thin line dividing characterisation from impersonation. I've to make sure I don't cross over into mimicry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushant-singh-rajput/there-is-a-very-thin-line-dividing-characterisation-from/) [Sushant Singh Rajput](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushant-singh-rajput/) > [The Son of God goes forth to war,A kingly crown to gain;His blood red banner streams afar:Who follows in His train?Who best can drink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reginald-heber/the-son-of-god-goes-forth-to-war-a-kingly-crown-to-gain-his-blood-red/) [Reginald Heber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reginald-heber/) > [Sin is the second most powerful force in the universe, for it sent Jesus to the cross. Only one force is greater-the love of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/sin-is-the-second-most-powerful-force-in-the-universe-for-it-sent/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“God has chosen to save the world through the cross, through the shameful and powerless death of the crucified Messiah. If that shocking event…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hays/god-has-chosen-to-save-the-world-through-the-cross-through-the/) [Richard Hays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hays/) > [God makes me play well. That is why I always make the sign of a cross when I walk out on to the pitch.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-maradona/god-makes-me-play-well-that-is-why-i-always-make-the-sign-of-a-cross/) [Diego Maradona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-maradona/) > [Do you love the cross because it makes much of you? Or do you love it because it enables you to enjoy and eternity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/do-you-love-the-cross-because-it-makes-much-of-you-or-do-you-love-it/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“The point of trying to understand the cross better is not so that we can congratulate ourselves for having solved an intellectual crossword puzzle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/the-point-of-trying-to-understand-the-cross-better-is-not-so-that-we/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) [Browse all 986 Cross quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cross/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We must invite the Cross to do its deadly work within before we can be free.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Aiden Wilson Tozer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadly-work-within-before-we-can/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cross" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadly-work-within-before-we-can/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b8/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_cross_we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadl_694444.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b8/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_cross_we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadl_694444.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b8/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_cross_we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadl_694444.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We must invite the Cross to do its deadly work within before we can be free.” — Aiden Wilson Tozer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Aiden Wilson Tozer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We must invite the Cross to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadly-work-within-before-we-can/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadly-work-within-before-we-can/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```