- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
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- 12,543
"And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:38-39
You've heard people say they have a "cross to bear." They're usually referring to some burden they must endure--a hard relationship, a chronic disease, and addiction. But the cross really means only one thing: suffering and death. Jesus' call to take up your cross is about dying to self, letting go of your plans and desires, and letting God replace them with His.
This is especially difficult for those who think they're doing God a favor by receiving Christ: Imagine God using my talents and connections for the good of the kingdom! But if they had anything to offer God, would the cross have been necessary?
In Christ, you're reborn spiritually, but you'll bear the burdens of the flesh until either you die or Jesus comes back. However, you'll share in the suffering that Christ endured, and because you belong to Him, God can redeem all your mistakes and hardships, self-made or not. He can turn them into bridges to others' pain. It's not easy to love people the way Jesus loves you, but it's worth it.
Prayer: God, strengthen me for the journey ahead. I willingly share in Your suffering, knowing that You will be with me and that the reward is worth the pain.
You've heard people say they have a "cross to bear." They're usually referring to some burden they must endure--a hard relationship, a chronic disease, and addiction. But the cross really means only one thing: suffering and death. Jesus' call to take up your cross is about dying to self, letting go of your plans and desires, and letting God replace them with His.
This is especially difficult for those who think they're doing God a favor by receiving Christ: Imagine God using my talents and connections for the good of the kingdom! But if they had anything to offer God, would the cross have been necessary?
In Christ, you're reborn spiritually, but you'll bear the burdens of the flesh until either you die or Jesus comes back. However, you'll share in the suffering that Christ endured, and because you belong to Him, God can redeem all your mistakes and hardships, self-made or not. He can turn them into bridges to others' pain. It's not easy to love people the way Jesus loves you, but it's worth it.
Prayer: God, strengthen me for the journey ahead. I willingly share in Your suffering, knowing that You will be with me and that the reward is worth the pain.
