The Power in Clinging
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38
Matthew 10 gives us the real deal on being a Christian. In this chapter, Christ has given the disciples the power to heal and to cast out demons. He also gives them a warning: you will not walk an easy road. He tells them they will be despised, talked about, and hated. They will be poor, and not welcomed in many places. Sounds like the dream job, right?
Jesus didn't sugarcoat the task at hand. The disciples knew they may encounter beatings and even death for sharing His gospel. He reminded them in this chapter that they had to be worthy of the task, as many were not. He said the risk was high. Yet, for all of the cost, there is a great reward for the faithful.
So, how can we go and share knowing that we could face similar circumstances?
Simple, we cling to Him.
Now, before you say, "Wow, it's not that simple. People will hate me. My family will turn against me. I could suffer financially" just remember who and what you are clinging to.
When we carry our cross, we are carrying the reminder of what Christ provided for us by carrying His cross. We are clinging to Him and the knowledge that one day we will receive our reward. This gives us the power and comfort to take that next step.
Also, when we are carrying our cross, we have little room for clinging to earthly possessions that could take our focus from Him. The cross is not a statement piece for worldly gain. It is a statement that we are committed to making God our entire focus. Clinging is an action word that requires sacrifice, thought, and actual work on our part. By clinging to our cross, we are letting go of what we want and committing ourselves wholly to His will.
Sure, our cross may have our blood, sweat, and tears on it, but carrying it faithfully will lead us to that crown we so often sing about.
Are we faithfully clinging to our cross?
C
Matthew 10 gives us the real deal on being a Christian. In this chapter, Christ has given the disciples the power to heal and to cast out demons. He also gives them a warning: you will not walk an easy road. He tells them they will be despised, talked about, and hated. They will be poor, and not welcomed in many places. Sounds like the dream job, right?
Jesus didn't sugarcoat the task at hand. The disciples knew they may encounter beatings and even death for sharing His gospel. He reminded them in this chapter that they had to be worthy of the task, as many were not. He said the risk was high. Yet, for all of the cost, there is a great reward for the faithful.
So, how can we go and share knowing that we could face similar circumstances?
Simple, we cling to Him.
Now, before you say, "Wow, it's not that simple. People will hate me. My family will turn against me. I could suffer financially" just remember who and what you are clinging to.
When we carry our cross, we are carrying the reminder of what Christ provided for us by carrying His cross. We are clinging to Him and the knowledge that one day we will receive our reward. This gives us the power and comfort to take that next step.
Also, when we are carrying our cross, we have little room for clinging to earthly possessions that could take our focus from Him. The cross is not a statement piece for worldly gain. It is a statement that we are committed to making God our entire focus. Clinging is an action word that requires sacrifice, thought, and actual work on our part. By clinging to our cross, we are letting go of what we want and committing ourselves wholly to His will.
Sure, our cross may have our blood, sweat, and tears on it, but carrying it faithfully will lead us to that crown we so often sing about.
Are we faithfully clinging to our cross?
C
Recent
Archive
2024
January
March
April
September
2023
October
November
Categories
no categories
1 Comment
I am willing to cling. Christ has done so very much for me and my family throughout life. He deserves all of us and not just part of us! Thanks Cindy