Denial, Decision and Devotion

A few mornings ago Brooks and I went out to breakfast and while we were in town I saw a man walking along pulling a cross behind him. There were two other men walking with him which made me think they were travelling with him in support. I am certain that along his way he had been laughed at, made fun of and possibly even spat at. It is my assumption that he felt the Lord had led him to make this journey. I choose to believe that this walker was living out the passage from Matthew 16:24 which says, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” (CEB)

First, the denial of ourselves; doing what Jesus would have us do rather than what WE want to do. Placing our lives under His will is not always easy but by God’s grace it can be done.

Secondly, we make the decision to “take up our cross”. Well, what exactly does that mean? Often times, I think we envision someone actually physically carrying a burden such as an illness, financial strain, and relationship problems. Taking up our cross in reality means so much more. To best explain this concept I will rely on a statement from gotquestions.org which says, Take up your cross and follow Me” means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender. After each time Jesus commanded cross bearing, He said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (Luke 9:24-25). Although the call is tough, the reward is matchless.

Third, our devotion to follow Christ….whatever the cost. Again, we can only do this by the grace of God, by His strength.

These three are like the Triple Crown, a trifecta or a three-run homer!! By denying ourselves, taking up our cross and devoting our lives to Christ we do gain the greatest reward –eternal life in the presence of Christ. Christ perfected the art of denial, decision and devotion – we are to follow His example.

Would you whisper this prayer with me today?

Heavenly Father, help me to take up my cross and follow Jesus, daily turning away from self-love and turning afresh to the new life found in Him.