Simply Said – Clarinda Herald Journal – January 2008

In previous articles I’ve encouraged fellow believers to avoid both generic Christianity that fails to mention Christ and any version of Christ that rejects the cross upon which he died to save us. Today I’d like to take it one step farther.

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). It’s a basic scriptural truth that is often neglected or denied. There are a lot of voices out there claiming that you can have your “best life now” by keeping certain biblical principles, or that you are guaranteed health, fame, wealth, and success if only you follow some supposedly secret positive thinking techniques. This is rubbish. Jesus said that following him means carrying a cross.

What is a cross? It could be any hardship or difficulty. It could be an illness or a physical defect. It could be chronic pain. It could be a thankless, poorly paying job or a responsibility that is particularly hard to bear. It could be a rebellious child, a cantankerous neighbor, or an irresponsible spouse.  Whatever it is, a cross causes suffering.

And contrary to popular belief, it happens that the Lord has good reasons to assign crosses to his people. They cause the ones who are suffering to reexamine their lives and behavior, to realize that they cannot go it alone, to turn to the Lord for strength, and to learn trust and patience. Personal suffering teaches us compassion for others who suffer. “Having been there” motivates us to help others and teaches us how best to do it. Much good can come of suffering, and the Lord uses it for our benefit.

Of course the most important cross Christians bear is the one that comes merely of confessing faith in Jesus. Jesus said, “All people will hate you because of me” (Matthew 10:22). He tells us that we should expect to be rejected and persecuted. The world was hostile to him. It killed him. How could it be different for those who follow him?

But even this opposition serves a good purpose, for it is precisely in such fiery trials that true Christian faith is perfected. It’s easy to say “I believe in Jesus” when everything’s going fine; but you know you mean it when there’s a high cost attached to it.

So let’s keep Christ in our Christianity. Let’s keep Jesus with his cross. And let’s gladly take up the crosses he assigns us and faithfully follow him.