Faith in God, in Jesus, in the Holy Spirit and Their/our mission is a sobering one...to say the least. It's challenging. It's life-providing. It's loaded with incredible news.
Think about Jesus' call for us to take up our crosses and follow him. The cross results in what? Our death. Not just our death; but our punishing suffering misery. The Cross isn't a topic for a snappy tune. It's a torture. We are to each live from and die on...our individual crosses.
We each submitted to Jesus from various times ago. Our relinquishment of our own lives yielded to His life; His walk. Such a commitment is for the same purpose: that others might live. These "others" that get to live are then called to die for the next "other" and then the next, etc. The Cross permeates life via human carriers (human diers)....like you....and me.
Crosses.
Misery. Punishment. Suffering. Unattractive. Rejected. Snubbed. Mockery. Struggle. Death.
Christians are to have signed up for this. Would we rather bail? Ease and acceptance and popularity; for these we often thrive just assuming that this is what life is really all about. Yet, the cross that we carry is serious for in our living/dying from such, others truly have a shot at finding hope, beauty, and life.
Jesus' call...to take up our cross...isn't mere Sunday School chatter. No. Living from a cross means we will be insulted, mocked, slandered, gossiped, and belittled. Such kills our hearts. Yet, this must be done for even our enemies may reach a point where they cross the center line and wonder if there could be/would be authentic hope beyond the grave.
Taking up our crosses is a reality. It is a must. We must be careful for too much of the believing world has simply opted for the easier route; church attendance. Faith will cost your life...and replenish you with a new one.
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