Matthew 16:24-27, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"
What does it mean to pick up my cross? This doesn't involve me. Nobody carries crosses anymore. He was talking to his disciples anyways, not me.
W R O N G.
Does being in church every Sunday morning and Wednesday night make you a follow of Jesus Christ? No. Why not? Because you are just going through the motions. Being a follower of Jesus is not always an easy thing. Sometimes you are called to give up some of these worldly things such as a certain job, hobbies, even relationships are sometimes given up.
Matthew 8:19-20, "Then one of the teachers of religious laws said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." But Jesus replied,"Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have their nests, but the Son of Man has no place to even lay his head."
Jesus didn't have a home, and by saying that he would follow Him wherever He went meant he was now without a home too. It isn't a job where he can be home on the weekends. He would now be living a life on the road sharing the gospel with others. Yes, you may have to give up your house and things you treasure, but the reward is far greater than if you would choose to stay.
Matthew 8:21-22, "Another of his disciples said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead."
This disciple wasn't completely ready to follow Jesus just yet, and Jesus knew that. By asking to return home first, Jesus saw he was putting it off. He wasn't going to have it either. Nothing should be put above committing your life to God.
From personal experience, I have had to give up friendships because I decided to pick up my cross. It hurt, but I wouldn't change anything about it. When you live a life with God first, you could not want anything else. God has closed plenty of doors, but has also opened up very important doors as well.
If you are willing to take up your cross...
1.) Be willing to let go of some of these worldly things.
2.) Be ready for persecution from others but remember that God is and will always be with you
3.) Pray for God to guide you through your life
4.) Read your bible daily as you seek to find His will for your life
