TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME

 

In the book of Luke, Jesus said, "TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME." All Christians have a fundamental understanding of what it means to make a life-long commitment and follow Jesus, but do we understand what it means to take up our cross?  Many people interpret "cross" as some burden they must carry in their lives: a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness, etc. With self-pitying pride, they say, "That's my cross I have to carry." 

Jesus also said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23. So too, 

Notice that there are 3 things Jesus said in order to be one of His followers:

1. Deny ourselves

2. Take up our cross

3. Follow Him

** a follower is a person not only devoted and loyal, their loyalty and support are consistent and ongoing. 

Following Jesus is what most of us claim we do but seem to overlook steps 1 and 2 for whatever reason. 

Let's look at Jesus' first order: DENY YOURSELF. What are we supposed to deny?

When a person denies or cuts off oneself from any kind of desired pleasure it causes undesired agony, suffering, or pain. An example would be a person who, after years and years of smoking attempts to quit. The mind wants to do what is right but the body doesn't care what is right. The body (flesh) still wants, desires, and craves what it wants even if what it wants is wrong. 

Sin is like that. As humans, we know what is right and moral but our flesh desires the opposite. The flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh because they are opposed to each other (Galatians 5:17). DENYING our body/flesh of pleasures isn't fun, especially when that pleasure is connected to sin. And that is the point Jesus is making, just as He told Mary Magdelene, "Go and sin no more." (Deny your flesh of that sin.)

The Bible refers to "suffering in the flesh."  1 Peter 4:1  “… he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” The spiritual connotation for us means he who denies his flesh will cease from sin! If you don't give in to temptation you won't go further to commit sin. These are well-known words but do we actually understand what it means for us in our day-to-day lives? “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he (referring to you and I) no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1-2.) Notice it said to arm yourself with the same mind. not the physical body because God is not asking us to die on a cross as Jesus did! Our death must come through the death of thoughts (through the mind) that manifest as temptations to commit sin. Scriptures also instruct us to "mortify" the deeds of the flesh. To mortify the deeds of the flesh simply means to subdue the needs and desires of the body through discipline. The power of discipline is given to every faithful follower through the Holy Spirit and not through our own ability!

 

What are "deeds?" Deeds are an action that is performed intentionally or consciously.  As temptations come up in our minds, we are to choose to deny them. Our mind stands guard at the door of our hearts, and we get to decide what comes through. When a sinful thought pops up in your mind the first time, it is considered temptation – a “suggestion” from Satan. But you can choose to deny that thought access to your heart! In practice, that means that as soon as you become aware of the thought, you disagree with it. You don’t dwell on it. The thought meets a firm “no” in your mind. You don’t permit the thought to pass through your mind and come into your heart which unfortunately will become a sinful action if you let it!  Denying sinful thoughts or suggestions is how you TAKE UP YOUR CROSS daily. 

Then with that mindset, FOLLOW His example. It's called losing YOUR life for a life of Christ.

Let this be your motivation! The verse today promises that when you suffer in your flesh, that is to say, when you take up your cross and deny the sinful thoughts that come up in you during the day, you will actually cease from sin! And it is not just a promise that will be fulfilled some unknown day far in the future – you see progress as you go. Taking up your cross daily leads to transformation. You won’t always be the same person you are today. As you are cleansed and forgiven from the sin in your nature, the fruits of the Spirit come in its place. Rather than being quick to judge and critical, or grumpy and downcast, you can radiate love and kindness and gentleness. (Galatians 5:22-23) Isn’t that hopeful?

Keep in mind, that we will meet these sufferings in the time of temptation. We (as believers in Christ) have the mind of Christ - that, “not my will, but Yours, be done,” and yet we can still find that our flesh does not easily give up its passions and desires. (James 1:14; Galatians 5:24.) Then, just like Jesus, we have to cry out for help from the Father. We too have to learn obedience through these sufferings (that is when we suffer in the flesh by denying things that are wrong). But the incredible thing is that because Jesus has gone through the same thing, being tempted yet committed no sin, He knows and understands the temptations and sufferings that we face. And because of that, He is able to aid us when we are tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18.) “Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. The help we get is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to deny ourselves and take up our cross, which quite simply means to say “No!” to each temptation, faithfully, over and over, until the temptation has been overcome. No, again and again, to our own will; to the lusts and desires of the flesh. When these desires are denied, it hurts. This is what it means to "suffer in the flesh is to cease from sin." When we do this faithfully, when we resist temptation without relapse, we little by little cease from sin in that area! And the Holy Spirit is right there helping us overcome all the while. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

Until He Comes

-Pat-