The Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 16:24,“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Christ? In the times in which Christ walked this earth the cross simply meant one thing, death. Today, the cross is a symbolic reminder for Christians of the sacrificial death of Christ on behalf of sinners. The cross is an important reminder to us all that Christ died and shed His blood for sinners. The cross is displayed as a symbol of the Christian faith and to identify someone as a follower of Christ.
In short, to take up your cross and follow Christ means to die to self and your own desires. It means to abandon a life of sin and rebellion against God for a life that is for His glory and service. Dying to self is surrendering to the will of God. The Lord Jesus also said, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:38). If you are not willing to repent of a life controlled and dominated by sin then you are not a follower of Christ. It is important that we examine ourselves from time to time to see if our life reflects the message and teachings of the Lord Jesus.
Are you ready to take up your cross daily and follow Christ? Here are some helpful questions to consider:
- Are you willing to walk daily in the light of the Holy Spirit?
- Are you willing to forsake friendships and relationships that hinder your testimony?
- Are you willing to endure the rejection of the world?
- Are you willing to serve Christ with your money, time and gifts?
Followers of Christ must be willing to suffer loss for the sake of Christ. They must be willing to lay down their lives in the service of Christ. Obedience to Christ means taking up your cross daily and faithfully serving Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ died on a cross for you to be reconciled to God. Are you willing to live for the One who died for you?
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