Daily Decisions

by Mitch Casson, Pastor of Outreach and Family Ministries

Would you take up your cross and follow the example of Jesus? Are you willing to suffer for your faith in Christ?

In Luke it says,

"Then he said to them all, if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 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 9:23-27)

There are three conditions in this scripture that we must meet in order to follow Jesus. We must be willing to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him.

Jesus was asking His disciples to “Follow Him,” he knew that there would be hardships waiting for them if they decided to do so. He knew it would not be easy.

Crucifixion was the standard Roman method of execution for condemned criminals. They had to carry their crosses through the streets to the execution site, where they would ultimately be nailed to it and left to die a slow, painful death. Following Jesus meant making a genuine commitment, facing the risk of death, and there was no turning back if the disciples would choose to “Follow Him.”

For us to follow Jesus, we must deny our selfish desires and willingly choose to follow Him. Following Jesus now may seem to be a difficult decision for some, but it is well worth it. The payoff and gift of eternal life is far too great to pass up.

We need to stop trying to control our own lives and let Jesus direct and guide our paths. He is in control and when we give our hearts over to Him. He will lead, comfort, and instruct us, guiding us toward a fulfilled life with Him.

As you take up your cross today, remember that there are Christians in other countries all over the world who face daily persecution, imprisonment, and even death for their faith in Jesus.

We must pray for persecuted Christians that they will remain steadfast in Christ as they take up their cross. I pray that you make that decision every day to take up your cross and eagerly follow Him as well.