TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. {Luk 9:23} -- by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; {2Co 6:8} -- indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. {2Ti 3:12}

Did you ever hear someone say, "Well, being stuck in this dead-end job must be my cross to bear, woe is me!" Jesus did not intend His words to be a license to a Pity-Party. What does it mean when we are asked to pick up our cross and follow Jesus?

As Christ carried His cross through the streets leading up to Golgotha, it was Roman law that the person to be executed must carry, on his own back, the very instrument that would soon support his lifeless remains. It was a form of extreme humiliation. Jesus died for us. When we figuratively pick up our cross to follow, we are stating in a bold manner that we are {literally} willing to die for Him.

"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. {Joh 12:25} -- If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. (15) Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; (16) but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. { 1Pe 4:14-16}

We were never, ever promised that our Christian lives would be a cake walk. That it would be without turbulence and trouble.

For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, {Php 1:29}, -- for the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; (15) and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. { 2Co 5:14-15}

If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us. {2Ti 2:12}

Be willing to carry your cross all the way to Golgotha for Jesus. He carried His for you!

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?