Picking Up My Cross

Denying myself and picking up my cross isn’t easy. My carnal instinct is to go it alone without relying on Christ. But, in reality, this significant salvation action brings a spiritual strength mightier than Satan’s stronghold. I must remind myself that Jesus overcame the devil and gave me the courage to move past temptation (John 16:33). 

Christ Dependency

God made dependence on Christ the sole entrance into His kingdom (John 14:6). I must, without reservations, accept Jesus as my Father’s Son. For without this conviction, my eternal destination isn’t aimed at heaven.

Jesus told His Disciples and a crowd of listeners this:

 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Mark 8:34, NKJV)

In this verse, Christ reveals the characteristics of a true believer. Jesus shows me that to seek Him; I need to surrender, abandon, and devote myself to Him. This means my primary focus in life has to be on Him, and my personal agenda must include His wisdom.

One of the most outstanding examples of how to merge my dedication to Christ and personal necessities comes from the Book of Proverbs.

Solomon spoke these words:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)

Solomon unfolds the blueprint for how God wants me to deny myself and trust His eternal plan. These two verses leave me no excuse to ask God for guidance in all areas of life. I have to turn to Christ regarding my finances, relationships with others, coworkers, family, and social life. Every time I put this into practice, the Holy Spirit provides me with God’s righteous way of handling these circumstances.

Jesus emphasized taking up one’s cross. So, what is my cross? The answer is following Christ with unwavering faith. I must show a willingness to abide in Him under all circumstances. This means if need be, losing relationships with family, alienation from friends, and reputation with coworkers.

Jesus tells me the narrow way is difficult (Matthew 7:13-14). However, God knows I won’t be perfect and will fall short in my walk with Christ (Romans 3:23). But when I fail, and reach for my cross, it shows God my repentance, and I can stay on the road of redemption.

The Penalty for a Compromising Faith

Christ unmasked the penalty for compromising faith. I discovered this reality in the tenth chapter of Mark’s Gospel.

Jesus said:

 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” (Mark 10:17-20, NKJV)

Did you notice Christ makes it known that only God is good? This reality shows me that goodness isn’t possible without God as my centerpiece. Right away, Jesus corrects this man’s understanding of what is good.

Then Jesus highlights six of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17) as the means of eternal life. This man faithfully followed these spiritual standards.

But Christ showed him his compromised faith.

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:21-22, NKJV)

In these two verses, Jesus exposed this man’s compromised faith. Christ pointed out his wealth as a wedge between his eternal inheritance and living outside God’s kingdom. Jesus shows me I must discard my attachments to sentimental possessions before I pick up my cross.

In the last verse, the man goes away knowing his faith isn’t secured. Instead of being joyful over this good news, it saddened his heart. Jesus’s message clarifies that compromising faith always brings sorrow.

Final Thoughts

As shown above, denying myself and picking up my cross is crucial to my salvation. Jesus shows me the actions I need to abide by and live within God’s kingdom. This is an incomplete description of Christ’s message of self-denial, for His Gospel has many more commandments and involves a personal commitment to know Him better.

What’s your take on self-denial?