Carrying Your Own Cross

…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree… —1 Peter 2:24

“The Cross of Christ is the revealed truth of God’s judgment on sin. Never associate the idea of martyrdom with the Cross of Christ. It was the supreme triumph, and it shook the very foundations of hell. There is nothing in time or eternity more absolutely certain and irrefutable than what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross— He made it possible for the entire human race to be brought back into a right-standing relationship with God. He made redemption the foundation of human life; that is, He made a way for every person to have fellowship with God. The heart of salvation is the Cross of Christ.” - My Utmost For His Highest 

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

My cross is not the same as Jesus’ cross.  My cross represents a daily sacrifice of my flesh, my carnal nature.  Not wanting to cling to the old but embracing the new. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19) How I live my life should shout that reconciliation with God is possible.  But if I insist that I live with one foot planted firmly in the world and in the other heaven, that won’t happen.  Each day I must resolve to follow Jesus, in everything.  What is it that I can possibly give in return for the eternal salvation of my soul? 

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  - Romans 12:1-2

What can I give - I can give Him my heart.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone