Cross-bearing isn’t optional for a Christ-following disciple. Jesus said, “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27 NIV) What is cross-bearing? Basically, cross-bearing is giving Jesus Christ first place in my life. When I adopt willingness to do whatever it takes for God to be glorified in and through my life, I am bearing my cross. When I lay my life on the line – even to the point of death – then I am cross-bearing.
For some, cross-bearing involves death, but even death cannot keep a person from pleasing the Lord. Shocking recent reports from the Middle East tell of thousands of believers who have been killed. Radicals unsuccessfully tried to make Christians deny Christ. The kingdom of darkness violently assaults the Church, but the blood of martyrs testifies to God’s glory. The ultimate sacrifice of life could be a part of cross-bearing, but for most of us cross-bearing has to do with how we live here on earth.
Water baptism is a powerful symbol of cross-bearing – burying an old life in exchange for Christ’s life. Alan’s testimony from the baptistry on that day touched my heart. Here was a guy publicly announcing his decision to offer every part of himself, his choice to bear his cross.
Cross-bearing encompasses every dimension of living. Evangelist Billy Graham wisely affirms, “Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have.” The Apostle Paul stresses, “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness.” (Romans 6:13 NIV) What a call! Every part? Wow, I have got some work to do.
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Many years ago, Thomas À Kempis bemoaned the lack of cross-bearing by many within the church of the 1400’s. Kempis called for renewed devotion. His message is still relevant in the 21st century. Kempis wrote:
“Jesus has many lovers of the heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His cross. He has many desirous of consolation, but few of tribulation. He finds many companions of His table, but few of His abstinence. All desire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to endure anything for Him, or with Him. Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup. Many reverence His miracles; few follow the ignominy of His cross. Many love Jesus so long as no adversities befall them, many praise and bless Him so long as they receive any consolations from Him; but if Jesus hides Himself and leaves them but a little while, they fall either into complaining or into too much dejection of mind.”
Cross-bearing is part of that process by which I am changed more and more into Christ’s likeness. Cross-bearing is a characteristic of someone maturing spiritually. Spiritual maturity is not automatic – it is a process. I am certainly not perfect. None of us is perfect yet. Therefore, I must surrender myself daily. Jesus Christ declares, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross DAILY and follow me.” (Luke 9:23 NIV) I must choose EVERYDAY to deny myself and follow God’s will for my life.
“In every Christian’s heart there is a cross and a throne, and the Christian is on the throne till he puts himself on the cross; if he refuses the cross, he remains on the throne. Perhaps this is at the bottom of the backsliding and worldliness among gospel believers today. We want to be saved, but we insist that Christ do all the dying. No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying. We remain king within the little kingdom of Mansoul and wear our tinsel crown with all the pride of a Caesar; but we doom ourselves to shadows and weakness and spiritual sterility.” (A.W. Tozer)
I want all that God has for me, so I gotta grab my cross. Lord, grant me grace to bear my cross and follow you today.
