FOLLOWING CHRIST AND BEARING THE CROSS
Matthew 11:28-30; 4:18-22
Many show interest in Christ and the Christian life but are not willing and ready to accept His invitation to “come unto me”. They just admire the beauty of the Christian life from afar. “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40).
A great many who also come to Christ are not ready to follow Him, let alone bear the cross. They love the crown but reject the cross, they love to hear and sing about the name of Christ but shy away from His nails.
Christ, however, gives us three express commands: come unto me, follow me and carry the cross. Will you heed His command today?
“Jesus has many lovers of His crown, but few bearers of His cross” – Spurgeon.
P1. Coming to Christ Decidedly
Romans 5:6-10; Matthew 11:28-30; John 3:1-5; Galatians 1:13-16
The Christian life begins with accepting Christ’s invitation:
- Coming to Christ entails abandoning darkness; stepping out and into the Light (John 3:18-21; 8:12)
- Come to Christ just as you are; you don’t wait to be a ‘better person’ before honouring the invitation (1 Timothy 1:12-16)
- The decision to accept the invitation must be taken firmly and in faith
“Come, and see the victories of the cross. Christ’s wounds are thy healings, His agonies thy repose, His conflicts thy conquests, His groans thy songs, His pains thine ease, His shame thy glory, His death thy life, His sufferings thy salvation” – Matthew Henry.
P.2 Carrying the Cross Delightfully
Luke 9:23,24; Acts 5:38-42; Philip. 1:20,21,28,29; 3:7-11; 2 Tim. 2:8-12
Christ is our Perfect Example in cross-bearing:
- Every disciple has a cross to carry just like the Master, on a daily basis
- Like Christ, the disciple ought to despise the shame and suffering of the cross
- Focus on the prize not the pain; the crown not the cross
- he saints of old rejoiced to be partakers of the sufferings of Christ
“The man with a cross no longer controls his destiny; he lost control when he picked up his cross. That cross immediately became to him an all-absorbing interest, an overwhelming interference. No matter what he may desire to do, there is but one thing he can do; that is, move on toward the place of crucifixion.”– Tozer.
P3. Counting the Cost of Discipleship
Matthew 10:25; Luke 9:23-25; 57-62; 14:26,27; John 12:23-26; 2 Timothy 3:12
True discipleship comes with non-negotiable costs:
- Self-denial replaces self-indulgence, comfort and ease
- Christ and His interests should be placed at the front and centre; not business, career, education, family, recreation and comfort (Galatians 2:20; John 21:1-3;15-19)
- Those who think the cost of discipleship is too high and want to shy away, will ultimately, lose the life they so cherish and protect
- There are rewards for faithful disciples of Christ (Mark 10:28-30)
“God must be the very first thought and the very last thought in the life of every disciple of Jesus. God must be the centre as well as the circumference of our lives. We live and move in Him, within the circle that He has drawn for us…” – Poonen.