The necessity of cross-bearing for eternal gains

The necessity of cross-bearing for eternal gains

Matthew 16:24-26.

Matthew 16:24 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.

The Christian’s walk is not “all bed of roses” but has its fair share of challenges and difficult prices to pay. One of the cardinal themes of the gospel is its association with a life of cross-bearing. No one ever fully becomes a disciple of Christ without passing the cross test. This test separates those who are fans of Christ and those who want to follow Him. The story of the rich young ruler remains a good example of what it takes to follow Christ. He had approached the Lord seeking a divine validation of his self-righteousness but was left disgusted and sad when the Lord confronted his unbreakable desire for the riches of this earth than Christ. Alas, this man chose the fleeting temporal possession that has long decayed now over the eternal, ever-abiding riches of heaven- Matthew 19:16-23. We must evaluate our hearts and find the things that deny us the indispensable opportunity to follow the Lord wholeheartedly and faithfully.

The heaviness of the cross varies with believers at different times, but there’s a certainty of the call to bear every day- Luke 9:23 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. The mere fact that we deny ourselves of the pleasures of the flesh as a daily milestone is enough cross to bear, giving no room for the works of the flesh to overrun our faith- Jude 1:3 earnestly contend (everyday) for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. On some other days, the cross might have additional heaviness piled as we are questioned about our faith with consequent peculiar trials, undergo health challenges, deal with the loss of loved ones, difficulty getting the needed provision for sustenance, etc. We must remain resolute in our decision and lean on the grace of God to keep our hearts on Him- Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

It is an ultimate futility to attempt to save one’s life from the rigors of servitude to Christ while professing to follow Him, though His demands are not grievous or impossible, nay, He supplies grace that carries the crux of the yoke. This life’s goods and treasures are fleeting components associated with a world destined for eventual destruction. Therefore, we must in good faith wake up from the self-ownership delusion and embrace the pathway that leads to grit and discipline to becoming true disciples of the Lord.

Deeper In The Love Of Jesus- by Disciples’ Hymnbook Singing Team

Deeper, Deeper in the love of Jesus,

Daily let me go;

Higher, Higher in the school of wisdom,

More of grace to know.

Chorus

O deeper yet I pray,

And higher ev’ry day,

And wiser, blessed, Lord,

In thy precious, holy word.

Deeper, deeper Blessed Holy Spirit,

Take me deeper still,

Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus

And His perfect will.

Deeper, deeper Tho’ it cost hard trials,

Deeper let me go!

Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,

Let me fruitful grow.

Deeper, higher ev’ry day in Jesus,

Till all conflict past,

Finds me conqueror,

and in His own image

Perfected at last.