Sep9
Matthew 10:38……….Working
and anyone (Includes every believer, not just the super spiritual or elite.) who does not take up (carry, bear, endure, suffer) his cross (Lit. The Roman custom of forcing convicted criminals to carry the cross to the place of execution. Metph-Suffering, hardships, trials, self-sacrifice, persecution, even death. In context willingness to break with family ties.-{V. 37} daily-{Luke 9:23}) and follow me (i.e.To obey, surrender, and submit.) ) is not worthy (befitting, deserving) of me. (Again not of Salvation, but to be regarded as a disciple of Christ.)
Continued From Book
Teaches how believers must willing to bear whatever costs, sacrifices, and hardships as we follow Jesus. ⇔ No where in the bible does Jesus say follow me and life will be easy. Follow me and everything will be a breeze. When running into a roadblock do you say, this is to hard, I’m going to go the other way it’s a lot easier. At the end of the day, taking up your cross has to do with your willingness to follow Christ in spite of what happens in our lives, in spite of the hardships, sufferings, and trials .
“Teaches how believers are called to life of obedience and submission to Jesus”. ⇒ Just like the convicted criminal carrying his cross was a symbol of complete surrender to Roman rule. Christ demands us to completely surrender to Him as King! It takes extreme dedication and complete devotion to Jesus to submit and do His will even when life gets difficult or the future looks bleak.
Even today, cross bearing can be anything from alienation from family and friends. It could mean being mocked and poked fun at. It could mean being unpopular and not fitting in. It could mean losing a job opportunity or a promotion because of our beliefs. It could mean battling some sin for years with little to no success. It could mean the withdraw pains of having to give up some sinful habit. It could mean persecution or even death.” ⇔ All believers have problems, but that does not necessarily equate to taking up a cross. There are various levels of problems, including simple inconveniences, frustrations, or truly difficult trials. It’s not uncommon to hear people speak, with a pitiful sigh, of various life challenges. Regarding health struggles, problematic relationships, or other stressful issues, they might say, “Oh, it’s just my cross to bear.” Such thinking can become an excuse for a sinful pity party.
More Notes & Applications
When Jesus says, “follow me,” He is calling us, not just to hang out with Him, or tag along, but to a devout, different, and dedicated life. Many think that when they become a Christian that they simply add Jesus to their life. In other words, they keep, for the most part, living their lives with Jesus now added into the mix. Oh, they’ve changed a few things perhaps but it’s still their lives and their will and their ways. They listen to Christian radio and speak the language and hang out with Christian friends but is this is not what Jesus has in mind for His followers. Being a Christian does not automatically make a person a Christ-follower. Just as there is a difference between being a spectator and a player, there is a difference between being a Christian “fan” and a true follower of Jesus. “Many who call themselves Christians may have walked an aisle, said a prayer, read their Bible, listened to worship music, and perhaps been brought up in a Christian home, but are they Christ followers? Being a Christ follower comes at a great cost.
Note: This is not saying we’re all called to follow Jesus in the same way, or to walk geographically behind Him, but we are called to follow Him in some way in which He decides. As an example if you are a chef and become a Christian you will follow Jesus by cooking in a different way, you will cook with new priorities, with new desires, with new delights, and new joy. You will no longer cook to simply pay the bills and make a living, you will cook as unto the Lord. And this includes any career or vocation your called too, and doing it all for the Lord and His glory. (cf. Col. 3:23, 3;17, Eph. 5:22, 6:6-7, Rom. 14:8, Philp. 3:8)
How to Take up Your Cross…..
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By being fully committed and surrendered to the Lord
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By walking in obedience to God’s word & commands
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By laying aside our strength, pride, egos
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By following & imitating Christ
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By loving and sacrificing for others
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By setting time aside for worship, bible study, and prayer
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By putting away sinful pleasures & desires
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By putting Christ’s teachings into practice
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By enduring shame, ridicule, and reproach
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By placing Jesus at the center of our lives
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By letting go of our old sinful way of living
- Posted by David Costa/
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