Every Believer Has A Cross of Some Kind
 Every believer has a cross of
some kind that Christ expects him or her to carry joyfully each day as a
demonstration of his or her commitment to Christ. Life under the sun is a
matter of choices. If we have made a decision to follow Christ, there must be
purposeful self-denial in our lives or we have not really learned the meaning
of following Christ. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will
come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew
16:24 (KJV)
Our salvation is free. "For by
grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
Discipleship, on the other hand, is costly. Bearing the cross involves a
willingness to look beyond our own affairs and to share the load of others in
order that they too may have a personal relationship with the Savior. Many
Christians do not fully realize the importance of following Christ gladly
as His discipleship, enduring whatever their cross may be. Thou therefore
endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3 (KJV)
Thou therefore, my son, be
strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 2:1 Purpose
in your heart to deny yourself and serve God by serving someone else. Begin by
reflecting prayerfully on the following Scripture verses:
- And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is
not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38 (KJV)
- And when he had called the people unto him with his
disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34 (KJV)
- Then Jesus beholding
him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever
thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and
come, take up the cross, and follow me. Mark 10:21 (KJV)
-
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 (KJV)
-
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking
back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62 (KJV)
- And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me,
cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 (KJV)
- For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 1
Peter 2:21 (KJV)
- Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV)
- But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 Peter 5:10 (KJV)
|
|
Rev. Telema W. Okobi