LIVING ON THE CROSSWALK
Church matters. What one believes about church matters. Because the very central theme of Christianity is the Cross, one's continual search for a congregation that pleases us in every aspect is hardly to be one's goal.
Our calling is to walk the incredibly steep terrain that Jesus did.
For this reason, we learn the practice of not giving up; not giving up on ourselves, on others, nor on the church. God does not call us into a walk that brings us inward satisfaction and ease. No, He makes an enormous call. God wants us to tow our own Cross upon which we will repeatedly die for others...including others who betray and victimize us.
There seems to be an incredible violation of the church format continuing day after day. That disruption is this: in general one feels that after struggling, we are surely due a break and (of all places) church should be it. It is upon this drive that one misses the mark.
One of the richer blessings that one finds in the church walk is encountering men and women who do not deny sin and its ramifications. Yet...and yet these very same men and women never let go of the ultimate calling from God...TAKE UP YOUR CROSS and follow me.
I encourage us to continually strive to not give up on one another. Yes, the temptation is strong...so very strong. Yet...and yet, this is the very platform of the Christian format. Maybe if we could make progress in remaining upon our individual Crosses for the sake of blessing one's opposition, the image of fascinating and encouraging Christianity will continue to gain momentum in its reach.
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me."
Luke 9:23
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