I believe one of the most overlooked phrases in the Bible comes in Luke 9:23, “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'”
Note Jesus commands that if we desire to TRULY follow Him, we MUST deny ourselves. Once we become a Christian, life is NO LONGER about us, it’s ALL about Him. And that part is difficult enough for most people. But then, let us continue – “deny himself AND take up his cross DAILY!” It’s not something we can do one day and then the next day when we’re out with our friends who don’t have the same desires to follow Christ – live a different way. It’s NOT a membership at a country club…It is a LIFE.
If we are truly committed to following Jesus, it will COST us EVERYTHING and EVERYDAY for the rest of our lives. Jesus came to this earth to live and DIE on the cross for our sins. That was His mission. That’s why He said on the cross “It is finished!” He had completed what He was here to do. And when we are commanded to take up our cross – that means God has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of our lives. And that purpose is to DAILY live the life God has called us to live.
Jesus said in John 15:4, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” He didn’t say “Come and go as you please” or “Live for Me when you feel like it”. No, He said ABIDE. That means STAY PUT!
When Paul was instructing us on the armor we are to wear as a Christian, note what he says in Ephesians 6:13; “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” STAND FIRM! STAY PUT!
When one joins the army, they are COMPLETELY under the authority of their commander. They can’t just come and go as they please. And the same is true with a Christian….a TRUE Christian that is (and sadly there are THOUSANDS of false Christians)! It’s our DAILY duty to follow Jesus.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)