On bearing His cross

I cannot bear the Cross of Christ. Only He could be the perfect sacrifice necessary to atone for the sins of mankind. Jesus actually did not carry His own cross; it was forced upon Simon of Cyrene to carry for Him. As believers, we were in Him as this happened and died with Him, were buried in Him, resurrected in Him, are now seated in Him and are joint heirs with Him.

When the Bible speaks of me bearing my cross, it is speaking of my willingness to put myself in the position to be obedient to what a Jewish person of that day would view as unthinkable; hung in a tree, exposed, and bearing the curse. That was utter humiliation. It is speaking of my willingness to trust in Jesus as Saviour at all costs; to give up my selfish desires to desire only Him.

It is also speaking of fulfilling my responsibilities when I became a believer. To help take care of parents and siblings if needed. If married, to support my family. To love my wife as Christ loved the church. To raise my children with all the love and wisdom that God has placed in me. I am to treat my employees with all the respect I would treat our Saviour and to work for my employer as I would serve my Saviour. It is to do the right thing, and if I do not know what that is, then I am to seek counsel and pray and walk in faith until I do. In short, I am to play the hand of cards I was dealt with all joy, knowing that They will never leave or forsake me. Knowing also that these acts do not save me, but are my manifestation of Christ in me the hope of glory.

I choose this life. I choose to die in Christ 2000 years ago. I choose to have alreadied suffered in Him. I choose Joy unspeakable here on earth and in my existence afterwards. I choose to be in Him!