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Taking Up Our Cross!!!

Our cross is God's will for our life, regardless of the cost. Taking up our cross is also a choice; it is not beyond our control. We might have health problems or a rebellious child or financial pressures, but do not mistake these things as a cross to bear. Neither circumstances we face or consequences of our actions are our crosses. Our cross will be to voluntarily participate in Jesus' sufferings as He carries our His redemptive purposes. Paul said he rejoiced in his sufferings because he knew that by them he was able to participate in the suffering required to bring others into Christian maturity.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24.

We tend to want to go immediately from denying ourselves to following Jesus. But we can never follow Jesus unless we have first taken up our cross. There are aspects of God's redemptive work that can be accomplished only through suffering. Just as Jesus had to suffer in order to bring salvation, there will be hardships we may have to endure in order for God to bring salvation to those around us. And, Jesus did not talk with His disciples about the cross until they had come to know that He was the Christ. We will never be able to endure the suffering of the cross unless we have first been convinced that Jesus is the Christ. Once we have settled our relationship with Jesus, He will introduce us to our cross.

Friends, there is no Christianity without a cross! If we are waiting for a relationship with God that never requires suffering or inconvenience, then we cannot use Jesus as our model. God's will for us involves a cross. We must first take up our own cross, then we can follow Him. What is your cross? If you are ready, ask Him and He will show you.

May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!

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