Take Up Your Cross

[RETIREDFAN1]

Take up Your Cross

By: Jim Crews

 

In the world today, many people see religion as something that is done out of convenience. They attend worship when there isn’t something else going on, which in their mind, is more important. They select a church to attend because its close to where they live, or because of the events going on. Many even select a church based on the amount of kids there for their kids to play with.

 

Being a Christian, though, isn’t always easy. Jesus told His disciples about the hardships they would face as they went about teaching the Gospel. People would hate them so much that they would try to kill them. They were told not to fear these people.

Matthew 10: 28 - 31

 

Instead of being fearful, they were to be bold and to confess their faith in Jesus as the Messiah.

Matthew 10: 32 - 33

 

He warned them that their own family may turn against them.

Matthew 10: 34 - 36

 

Even if this happens, they were to take up their cross and follow Him.

Matthew 10: 37 - 39

Jesus even foretold His own death. Peter refused to believe it.

Matthew 16: 21 - 23

 

If we are going to follow Christ, we must take up our cross as well.

Matthew 16: 24 - 26

 

He shows us how this is done after a confrontation with the Pharisees. We have to put Jesus before our family.

Luke 14: 25 - 26

 

This is a hard cross to bear for many. A lot of times when someone becomes a Christian, they are ostracized by their unbelieving family. We must carry our own cross.

Luke 14: 27

 

Being a disciple of Christ comes with a cost. Are we able to pay it fully?

Luke 14: 28 - 30

 

Not becoming a disciple also comes with a cost that must be paid.

Luke 14: 31 - 32

 

The level of commitment for all disciples is large. Too many people approach religion with the question of what’s in it for them. The won’t follow a way of life unless it promises to be beneficial to them. There are benefits to being a Christian, and in some ways life is easier. However, there is no promise of an easy life while on the earth. Life as a Christian can be difficult. There will be persecution.

Matthew 5: 10 - 12

 

There will be tribulation.

John 16: 33

 

Jesus brings to mind bearing a cross, because the cross was the most gruesome form of death. Those about to be crucified were forced to carry the crossbeam of their cross to the place they were going to be crucified. What Jesus means by telling us to carry our cross it that we go where we don’t want to go and do what we don’t want to do. Paul wanted the Philippians to be shining examples. He was willing to give himself to that end.

Philippians 2: 14 - 18

 

He knew he would be released from jail soon, but he would be willing to die if that was necessary.

Philippians 1: 19 - 20

 

Paul had love for the Thessalonians.

I Thessalonians 2: 8

 

He even loved the Corinthians, with all their problems.

II Corinthians 12: 15

 

Jesus did not look forward to the cross, even though He knew the need and the good that would result from it.

John 12: 27

 

Despite this dread, Jesus went voluntarily to the cross. We are to follow this example.
I Peter 2: 21 - 24

 

That is the level of commitment Jesus asks from each one of His followers. Being a Christian is not about me. It is about serving God and our fellow man. We should be willing to give for the brethren.

I John 3: 16

 

We are not going around looking for trouble and problems, but we should understand that if we are preaching Truth, trouble and problems will find us.

 

Are you willing to take up your cross and follow Christ?

 

If so, you must believe that He is the Messiah, and obey His commands.  You must repent of your past sins.

Luke 13: 3

 

You must make the confession of faith publicly, as we read earlier. You must be immersed in water to have your sins washed away.

Mark 16: 16

 

And you must remain faithful to Him unto death.

Revelation 2: 10