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“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said:
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross
and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
What a powerful scripture verse in the New
Testament. It seems so easy to be a committed Christian when life is good, but
I've come to realize that the cross becomes much heavier to carry when I am
faced with trials in my life. I assume you're a lot like me and struggle when
the times get tough. As it would have it though these are the times we should
be looking more toward God for answers and help in our situations.
This scripture calls out three things:
1. Deny yourself
2. Take up your cross
3. Follow Christ
It takes a focus in all 3 of these areas to walk with Christ. So what does each mean.
Deny yourself - put aside your desires, your plans, your worries and your sinful lusts. Seems simple when you read the words, but putting them into action takes a consistent effort and watchful eye. Do you have it in you? Are you able to turn away from your current lifestyle, ownership and control and pursue His plan for you?
Take up your cross - This is certainly not intended in a literal manner, so we must look deeper to understand what is meant by the phrase in question. The cross symbolizes pain, anguish and most importantly death. In the 1st century AD the cross had one meaning - the criminals would bear the weight of the cross and be hung on it. So now rethink the meaning of the phrase ... willing to die for the name of Christ. Wow, that seems extreme. But be honest, would you be willing? This is reality in several countries around the globe even today (Pakistan, Ecuador, Nigeria, Somalia, Indonesia, Ethiopia to name a few)
Follow Christ - There is a huge cost to do this. Have you thought about that? Are you willing to lose your family relationships over this decision? What about your job, your reputation, your closest friends or your financial stability? For to follow Christ in a non-superficial manner takes more than lip service it takes action. Many times this decision will contradict comfortable areas of your life and you will be forced to choose.
Now you see why this is such a powerful verse. The disciples that were walking with Christ and heard these words from His very mouth struggled to live up to this edict. How therefore are we expected too? We need to have a full comprehension of the depth of this commitment, but realize that these requirements can only be met through a full trusting, faith filled, and dependent reliance on Jesus Christ to carry you. It cannot be done without Him.
©
Sondove Enterprises, 2013This scripture calls out three things:
1. Deny yourself
2. Take up your cross
3. Follow Christ
It takes a focus in all 3 of these areas to walk with Christ. So what does each mean.
Deny yourself - put aside your desires, your plans, your worries and your sinful lusts. Seems simple when you read the words, but putting them into action takes a consistent effort and watchful eye. Do you have it in you? Are you able to turn away from your current lifestyle, ownership and control and pursue His plan for you?
Take up your cross - This is certainly not intended in a literal manner, so we must look deeper to understand what is meant by the phrase in question. The cross symbolizes pain, anguish and most importantly death. In the 1st century AD the cross had one meaning - the criminals would bear the weight of the cross and be hung on it. So now rethink the meaning of the phrase ... willing to die for the name of Christ. Wow, that seems extreme. But be honest, would you be willing? This is reality in several countries around the globe even today (Pakistan, Ecuador, Nigeria, Somalia, Indonesia, Ethiopia to name a few)
Follow Christ - There is a huge cost to do this. Have you thought about that? Are you willing to lose your family relationships over this decision? What about your job, your reputation, your closest friends or your financial stability? For to follow Christ in a non-superficial manner takes more than lip service it takes action. Many times this decision will contradict comfortable areas of your life and you will be forced to choose.
Now you see why this is such a powerful verse. The disciples that were walking with Christ and heard these words from His very mouth struggled to live up to this edict. How therefore are we expected too? We need to have a full comprehension of the depth of this commitment, but realize that these requirements can only be met through a full trusting, faith filled, and dependent reliance on Jesus Christ to carry you. It cannot be done without Him.
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