And He said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, ESV)
What would it look like in your life, in my life, if we were to take up our cross and follow Christ? How might things be different? According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, the word for cross in Greek is stautros. It most often describes those who, because of their love for Christ, do not hesitate to cheerfully and boldly bear persecutions, troubles, or distresses, remembering the fate of Christ and the spirit in which He encountered His own cross. These are strong words that we often hear in stories from believers in persecuted countries!
Are the words only meant for those followers of Christ?
In 2 Timothy 3:12, we read, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Friend, we who are faithful followers of Jesus must expect to suffer because we live in a world that rejects Christ! Do we really want to surrender our lives to Christ?
May God give us the strength we need to disregard our own interests, remember the example of our humble Christ, and follow Him in obedience as we read and live out His Word every day! May we each live a life fully surrendered to Christ!
Would you love to read the other devotionals in this series on a Life Surrendered to Christ?
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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.