Luke 9:23
King James Version
23 And he said to them all,
If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily,
and follow me.
What does carrying our cross mean?
What would JESUS consider a cross, worthy of bearing?
If your relationship with JESUS is right, as born again, as believer, you'd know what that cross means.
The Bible teaches us the cross we believers must bear:
Titus 2:11-12
King James Version
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly,
righteously,
and godly,
in this present world;
Both verses have said these:
"let him deny himself"
"denying ungodliness and worldly lusts"
Common word?
DENY.
We are to deny ourselves the accepted ways in the world.
We are to live as CHRIST lived.
Just.
Holy.
Perfect.
Obedient.
ACCEPTABLE in the eyes of GOD.
We are to:
"live soberly,
righteously,
and godly,
in this present world"
If you love GOD, if you follow JESUS, if you are a student of the HOLY SPIRIT, if you are born again, if you live by SCRIPTURE, that is easy to do.
It makes sense, and becomes automatic for the believer.
We have SPIRIT and SCRIPTURE to teach us.
The ways of the world don't entice us.
For it goes against GOD's grain:
Luke 16:15
King James Version
15 And he said unto them,
Ye are they which justify yourselves before men;
but God knoweth your hearts:
for that which is highly esteemed among men
is abomination in the sight of God.
It will be easy to follow GOD's commandments, because Scripture said:
1 John 5:3
King James Version
3 For this is the love of God,
that we keep his commandments:
and his commandments are not grievous.
It will be easy to carry our cross, for JESUS promised:
Matthew 11:28-30
King James Version
28 Come unto me,
all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you,
and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy,
and my burden is light.
JESUS already conquered everything on the cross.
We are merely following in His footsteps.
In the path He already paved.
JESUS made everything easy for us.
Let no one tell you differently.
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