TAKE UP WHAT CROSS?

  

 

 

What was Jesus was really saying in Matthew 16:24 and Luke 9:23?

There is so much misunderstanding, false assumptions, and erroneous teaching about this Scripture;

 

 "You must deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me." 

 

When Jesus was telling this to the disciples, He had not gone physically to the cross yet, neither had He been physically carrying one around. 

So, since He ALWAYS leads by example, what was this "cross" that He was referring to?

 

Purpose. His purpose. Your purpose.

 

And His purpose was to be The Messiah on a cross.

 

Yes, the physical cross was in his path, but that was ONE day out of his 33 years of earthly living. After that one day, he was done with the physical wood & metal of the cross!

Yet, He lives even today, still fulfilling His purpose, being that Messiah.

 

This is the same lifestyle that He wants from us. 

As we willingly and purposely walk with him in discipleship, we learn more and more of what our individual calling is. And He is faithful to us as He guides us to want to do His will and to actually do it! See this promise in Philippians 2:13.

 

I've never met anybody who has said serving the Lord and walking out their purpose was always a piece of cake. There's more than likely gonna be some pain, sweat, and tears. (and, in extreme cases, blood). Rejections, accusations, and backstabbing are not uncommon when serving The Lord. 

 

This is where we deny our fears, self-preservation, and limited understanding and just obey the call.

Are we all going to suffer physical abuse, torture, and possible death?

Highly doubtful. Will we experience times of struggle, discomfort, embarrassment, and agony? I'm pretty sure we all will. God's Word guarantees it… See this promise in 1 Peter 4:12.  

 

But we also get to experience those "mountaintop" moments when The Lord pulls it all together and lets us see the fruit of our labors!!

 

Some people are called to greet, provide hospitality, or visit the sick. Others are called to sing, play instruments or the soundboards. You may be called to help at church on Sunday or be in children's or youth ministry. 

Or you could be called to be a major target as a teacher, leader or pastor.

 

If we let our fears or pride steer us, then we have not denied ourselves to fulfill God's purpose. We have decided to stay with "our" purpose.

So, let us all, through the use of the tools of prayer, Scripture, and worship, find our purpose (cross), and pursue it daily.

Then, one day, we will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" 

 

In case you were wondering, doing this blog/vlog is one of my crosses. I thoroughly believe that the Holy Spirit gives me the subjects and scriptures to back them up. My doubt, low self-confidence and fear of rejection has caused me to shelf this assignment for almost 2 years, but God, in His mercy, has allowed and caused me to pick it back up anew and confidently go forth.

Walking in your purpose is, to me, the greatest thing we can experience on a daily basis…

 

 

If you do not personally know Jesus and want to know how to obtain Salvation and Eternity, message me and I will show you how to receive a love you never thought possible!

 

If you would like to receive notification when a new article is posted, drop your email address or mobile number to: notthots@yahoo.com. otherwise, check back weekly.

 

Bruce Not Almighty, signing off....for now.

Bruce Wallace

Christian

Single

Blogger