By Pastor Felix Makanjuola, Pioneering National Coordinator, SOD, U.K
To be a disciple of Jesus you must “take up your cross.”
All three of the Synoptic Gospels give an account of this instruction of Jesus on discipleship, but Luke elaborates a little more in Luke 9:23 (NKJV): “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Notice from this scripture, that for disciples of Jesus Christ, taking up their cross, is not a one-time event. Rather it is a daily commitment. Indeed, to daily take up your cross is to daily consecrate your life unto God and surrender to him completely. What is your cross? Your cross may be a burden, or a challenge in one area or another of your life.
In Luke 14:27, Jesus makes an even stronger case for bearing our cross. Jesus says “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple”. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ requires living a sacrificial life, in which you follow the steps of Jesus.
Living a sacrificial life does not mean that a disciple seeks to suffer; but it does mean that he or she will continue to trust and submit to God even when hard times come. Furthermore, it means he or she will be victorious through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Cross-bearing Christians are committed Christians. Stay focused on the cross, and work out your salvation with fear and trembling.