Faith

Following Jesus May Mean Bearing A Cross

by John Clark 
11/11/15
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Since when does being a follower of Jesus always mean blessing? It means to be obedient, not necessarily a life where all is well. Too many American Christians have become "spiritually spoiled," expecting God to do whatever they want, becoming accustomed to a life of ease and comfort. 

     Following Jesus, however, is a willingness to go where He would go-to the needy, unlovable, sick, and homeless. He walked on dusty roads. He sat and conversed with those who opposed the truth. Being a follower of Christ may mean going without something we want to share with another who lacks, giving our last dollar to someone, or providing a meal for a homeless or hungry person.

     We must not place any conditions on following Jesus. It must not be determined  upon how much money is in or bank accont, having a job, driving a nice car, or even having a happy marriage. Our love and obedience to Christ must be the same even if we have no money in the bank, a loss of job, an old clunker in the driveway, or a dysfunctional marriage. Following Christ is not as much doing what he did, as it is being like him. That may involve hardship or difficult situations, for it says in II Timothy 3:12, "They who seek to live godly lives will suffer persecution." Too often this verse is totally ignored because it is not a popular teaching. Rather, Christians would much rather quote verses like Jeremiah 29:11 which states that God has plans to "give you a future and a hope." Christians sometimes have a tendency to pick and choose the verses that they like and makes them comfortable. There is too much of a pollyanna approach to being a Christian-expecting all to go well. Yet, Matthew 16:24 says to "take up your cross and follow" Christ. Another example of this is the often quoted Romans 8:28, "...all things work together for good," in contrast to isaiah 45:7 which states that God is the one "causing well-being and creating calamity..."

     If one desires to truly follow Christ he or she will get out of the church pews and do something to make a difference in the life of another person, or to interact with our godless culture. Jesus did not spend a lot of time sitting in churches; He was out meeting needs, mingling with the people, and traveling from town to town. In doing so He was laughed at, and eventally flogged, stripped of His clothes, spit upon, made to carry a cross, and then hung upon the cross he carried. 

     How many Christians are bearing a cross? It may be putting up with an undesirable situation, going where they would rather not go, losing a job, ending up in prison, or taking a stand for your godly beliefs. Pastor Saeed followed Jesus all the way to a prison cell in Iran. The fire chief in Atlanta lost his job because of his beliefs. There are many more examples. Following Jesus means getting over the thinking that everything is always going to one's liking. Rather it means believing that God knows the best path for our lives. He is not going to mislead us or take us where we don't NEED to go. God led me to speak at my local mission to the homeless and hurting people of my community. It certainly was not my first choice, but it is where God has put my life to the best use for his glory and to help those who need to hear the Gospel. 

     What is your cross? Identify it, and follow Him. Seek God to lead you where He knows you need to go. Seek to become more like Him whatever circumstances you are in. It may result in tremendous material blessing. Then again, it may not. But the real blessing will be in having the peace that comes with obedience and seeing God work through you.