5.24.10_Luke 9:23-25_Our crosses

 Praise the LORD!!!

    So you're a 'born again' Christian? Is there this proof from within your life?

    Luke 9:23-25

    23 "Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.  25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?""
 
    Here we are told by JESUS HIMSELF, what it takes to truly follow HIM, to be called HIS disciples or in reality a Christian! Remember the name Christian means to be CHRIST-like, to be an earthly reflection of JESUS in all aspects, or at least as humanly possible. Due to the manor of preaching over the last hundred years or so, too many of us believe that Christianity starts and stops with belief and confession in CHRIST. When truly it is much deeper then that. The true life of a Christian involves the person being willing to go to the extremes, no matter the cost, to bring glory to JESUS' name by being like HIM. We must show HIS very being in everything that we say and do. We must be willing to go that extra mile to show HIS love for all of mankind, no matter how deplorable the person is.

    To often these days we have those that want to use the name, yet not act the part at all, or maybe only on Sundays. This isn't that which JESUS is talking about here, that is only a shadow of HIS reflection, not even close to a mirror like reflection. To many want to 'trash talk' others for the way they talk or act, or the types of Bible that they read or the clothes they wear. This list could truly go on for some time, but I think you get the idea. Online, I see so many that are sounding Christian from the words that they comment or blog with, yet the spirit in which its done reveals little of JESUS' resemblance. How can a person call themselves by HIS name in one breath and turn right around and belittle another person for their beliefs or actions? Truly they shouldn't be able to, not if they were acting the part of JESUS.

    JESUS is the only true judge among us and we are warned against standing in judgment against others. But so far, I've not hit on the main reason for these verses today. These points made above, are all crosses that we're to bare and to bare them like JESUS at that. How did HE bare HIS cross? I'm sure HE wasn't cursing everyone else around HIM. I'm sure HE wasn't putting down all the religious people that were responsible for HIS carrying that cross. I can easily say this because of some of HIS last WORDS upon the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Now does that sound anything like what we hear from the mouths of others, or that which we read while online? For the most part, I'd say not, for there are a few out there that do walk as JESUS did and their words and actions show it clearly.

    Even though JESUS was being ridiculed, looked down upon and numbered as a criminal. Can any of us suffer these same things and not fight back with words or actions? Those that truly bare the HOLY SPIRIT within them can. For it  can be seen in their reactions to the insults of others as to their beliefs and ways. They won't 'comeback' with a flurry of words trying to inflict the same or worst insults upon their offenders. They bless them and continue about their way. A very hard task to undertake in minor offenses let alone the major ones, but it to can be done. As with all the other attributes of carrying our crosses like JESUS did, this too can only be done when one has fully allowed the HOLY SPIRIT to reside within.

    The last point I will make about these verses today deals with how we handle our day to day sufferings. Those trials and tribulations that we deal with from the world around us. Our health, our finances and anything else that seems to bring us to our knees in prayer for ourselves. In these verses JESUS is telling us that we will have problems in our lives and HE is giving us the manor in which we're to handle them. We're to confront all that life throws at us just as HE did, quietly baring it and putting it to prayer. To often we hear people, and I'm guilty of this, complaining about the problems that have overtaken them. "The rent is due and I've no money," "my health is falling apart," "my computer system is the pits."(one I've been guilty of lately.) From these verses we should be able to see that this isn't the way we're to handle these problems. We should place the matter before GOD in prayer, and not a whining, "I need this or else "type of prayer, but a "thank YOU FATHER for providing type." Acknowledging the fact that we know GOD is there and in control and that HE cares about us more then anything else. There is a lot in these few simple verses to think about and to work out within ourselves and with GOD. Isn't it amazing how GOD can put so much meaning, into so few WORDS!!! This is one of the reasons I so love HIM and HIS WORD for me, it is ever bringing new light and life into this tired old sack of bones. Rejuvenating me, so that I can stand strong to face another day on this earth, awaiting the day that HE calls me home to heaven to join HIM for eternity!!!

A few other verses for your pleasure (which it should be!):Matt. 10:39, 16:21-26; 1 Cor. 15:31; 2 Tim. 2:12
Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!

Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org

GOD bless and good day,

Rev. Marshall Barth

Vine of CHRIST Ministries

Vine Ministerial Network International