A few years ago, the church I was attending passed out small wooden crosses in honor of Good Friday. I helped myself—with permission —to two of them. I always have one in my purse and one in the console of my car. They are just reminders of my salvation and the person I am to emulate. In addition, they help me call to mind that I am to carry my cross and never put it down, as these Scriptures state. See Luke 9:23 and Luke 14:27: This morning, I reached into the pocket of my purse where I keep my cross, and along with pulling out my keys, I also accidentally grabbed hold of the cross. I dropped it, and as it fell to the ground, I suddenly wondered to myself how often I have dropped the cross in the way I live; in my commitment to Christ; in the way my life is an example to the unsaved?
The Parallel of Luke 9:23 & Luke 14:27
Carrying the cross is definitive of a commitment to endure suffering and hardship; to practice self-denial for the cause of Christ. Not long after Jesus spoke these words, carrying the cross of Christ was put to the test in the lives of many Christians who endured beatings, imprisonment, and even death. Thankfully, in the United States, this kind of persecution is not prevalent, but there are countries in which believers are persecuted.
Even though we may not be called upon to suffer to that extreme, we are expected to carry the Cross, though it might bring ridicule, loss of relationships, social isolation, and physical hardship.
There is another aspect to Cross carrying, and that is it should be apparent as a living testimony to the unsaved. Yes, verbal witnessing when the opportunity presents itself is very effective. But as this is not always possible, the world should be able to see—as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
It should be blatantly noticeable that we are following in Jesus’ footsteps as He set the example of humility, selflessness, and surrender to the Father’s will as He carried His Cross up the hill to Golgotha.
In closing, we must be prepared to carry our cross up the hill of needed changes, no matter how challenging or daunting the results.
Until we sit down together for our next visit, continue living before God’s face.
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