Pick up the cross daily and follow me!

I look at this verse the same as pray without ceasing, it should be something we do without thinking, or it should come natural to us to follow no matter what comes our way. He"s first.

 

It does not just mean that Christ is first, it means much more than that. It means to live for Him sacrificially with much sacrifice.

 

Being willing to die in our following of Christ. The call to follow is a tough one, but think of the reward!

We must remember that verse 9:23 does not stand alone, but must be combined with the next two verses:

 

Taking up our cross and losing our lives is not just about dying and it is not just about following Jesus. It is about living sacrificially. Giving up the comforts of this life in order to serve God and further the Kingdom.

 

1Peter 2:21 tells us how to follow Christ

 

I would say putting Christ first in everything would mean you are ready to do whatever it takes to follow, wherever He sends you or give up whatever He ask even your football.

 

Carrying a cross every day can get to be a real drag. But this shows that a Christian life is not easy and effortless, is forward looking and not backtracking... is blood, toil, sweat, and tears.

 

Sure but it is vague and does nothing to describe the behavior that should go with it.

 

Guess that just depends on were you sit, The way I see it if I'm willing to put Christ first in all things, then I'm willing to sacrifice whatever it takes. Just because I didn't use the word sacrificially does not mean I'm not ready to do so.

 

I understand. As a pastor I have learned that in the church there is a need to be specific. My statement was not in disagreement with you but made out of a need to be specific in our churches. I am sorry if it appeared I was disagreeing with you. I should have been more clear.

 

Awesome, All tho I'm not a Pastor I do wish that I was, but that is not what God has called me to. He has taken a man who really did not like talking to people and is making it very easy for me to talk with them about Christ. I truly love doing so. I know that being a Pastor is not an easy job, having to deal with all sorts of things, that is why I try never try to talk to my pastor on Sunday morning other than hello, whatever it is can wait. I will be praying for the pastors here on the BB keep up the good work and God bless.

Danny

 

Just a further word of encouragement:

It is appreciated by pastors when church members do not come to them with burdens prior to preaching unless it is an emergency. Say hello and the biggest encouragement you can give a pastor is to let him know you are praying for him. Even prior to preaching.

 

righteousdude2

It does not mean we carry a cross. It means we identify with Christ and His cross. Paul explains our union with Christ and His death on our behalf.


6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.