The problem is we want to live in this world and have all its benefits, pleasure, status, success, pride and respect; in other words, it has to be all about ME and what I get from it? At the same time, we want to have what Jesus offers us. But we forget that Jesus said, “Take up your cross daily and follow me”
‘Take up your cross daily and follow me’ – Luke 9:23
We don’t see Jesus walking today on Earth because we don’t see people taking up their cross daily. It not easy or comfortable; you will be rejected, laughed at, looked down upon Mark 13:13 – ‘you will be hated by all for my name’s sake’) if you take up the cross on Jesus’s terms. So, the cross gives us a fear of death of ourselves and our old lives that we love so much. That’s why people don’t see Jesus alive today. Jesus is now just a religious figure because others don’t see him in our lives. They don’t see his hands, his feet, and his mouth in us – the only things we have left are Church buildings and Christian labels and idols to show people when they ask.
OUR DAILY CROSS PRESENTS A PROBLEM TO US.
We want Jesus but ask why; did Jesus not take up the cross for me? Why do I have to take up the cross? Can I take up the cross on my own terms and conditions? Can I design and make my cross to suit my dreams and passions? But the truth is I have to die with Him on the cross to this world; this means when I die on the cross Colossians 3:5, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:24, Romans 13:11-14, Ephesians 4:22-24, Ephesians 5:7-14, Philippians 3:8, 1 Peter 4:1-2, the Earth and all its worldly pleasures are no longer the center and focus of my daily life.
But I have to say Jesus is still walking today on earth and the ones who take up the cross daily, show Jesus to others. I get to witness this when I travel across the world and it humbles me to know Christ is still active and walking today. I see people that reflect Christ-likeness in their daily walk by not only professing with their mouth but also by allowing God to take over their actions, motives, and they said ‘Yes Lord, we will go to reaching the unreached with the love of God, leaving behind our comfort, pleasure, self-glory and pride by taking up our daily cross and walking side by side with Jesus.
HE IS CALLING US TO WALK WITH HIM TODAY.
He does not have feet, hands, and mouth and He needs us – that means using our most expensive thing which is time, something we all do not have Romans 10:14, Acts 8:31. Practical Christianity follows Christ by taking up our cross daily to reflect Christ-likeness to this world 1 John 1:5-9, Matthew 5:13-16
We need to get up and live out practical Christianity by walking with Jesus, to be his hands, his feet and his mouth Matthew 25:36-40, not just to have a mental knowledge and doctrine, and then debate and proclaim that I have the truth and it suits my life.
2 Timothy 3:5 Godliness: ‘For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people, [turn away from them].’
Like I already said, mental knowledge will not make us followers of Christ; that requires our daily walk with him. For example, I may spend hours watching videos of all the best Basketball players, learning their strategies and moves, talking to my friends about it on a weekly basis and exchanging knowledge gained, but if I don’t get out daily onto the basketball court to practice what I learned, then I am good for nothing – just a human being who has a vast knowledge of basketball. These days we call it liberty or an archive vault – it is good Intel but it has not been used. So I may know all the Truth (Theology, Doctrines, Creeds and Theories) but if I don’t use it practically and daily for Christ’s glory, then it is all in vain (Matthew 21:28-31).
‘May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord’ 2 Peter 1:2
If Grace and peace will increase in us we will not sit still; we will go and run the race to share what God has done for us through His knowledge, ‘The Word of God’ in our lives to others, so they may experience the same transformation in their lives as well; because the love of God that was poured out through Grace will not be retained in you but will overflow like living waters so others can drink.
The question is, will you take up your daily cross and follow Jesus? (Romans 10:14, Acts 8:31)
