One of the most consistent messages of Jesus, as seen in Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, and Luke 9:23, was, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."
Denial and the daily taking up of the cross run contrary to the grain of our fleshly nature, but such is the true cost of following Jesus.
Denial and the daily taking up of the cross may come in the form of obedience, service, surrender, trial, tribulation, suffering, and even death itself.
Our fleshly nature will always seek ease, comfort, and pleasure, but such is not the true cost of discipleship and submission to Christ.
In Matthew 7:14, Jesus adds, "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
Flee from anyone who tells you that the Christian life should be one full of comfort, ease, and pleasure. Jesus tells us the exact opposite, that the true Christian life will be difficult and will involve significant self-denial and the daily taking up of the cross.
True Christianity is not easy and never will be. Just look at the price that Jesus paid.
No comments:
Post a Comment