Choosing the Jesus Way 2:4
Part 2:4 (Discovering Life's True Purpose)
23 “ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. " LUKE 9:23Embracing the Cross: Discovering Life's True Welcome back! I’m so grateful that you've returned. May today bring you peace and hope, no matter where you find yourself in your journey. Today, I want to explore the profound concept of "picking up the cross." Let's begin with a quote from Yeshua (Jesus), sourced from the NIV version, which briefly addresses this question. Remember, it's always beneficial to verify the verse in context and explore multiple translations for a comprehensive understanding.
23 “ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” LUKE 9:23-25
Breaking Down the QuoteLet's dissect this quote into two distinct parts: verses 23-24. At first glance, it may seem straightforward, but why does it carry such a weighty tone? As followers of The Way, also known as Christians, our aspiration is to become disciples of Yeshua (Jesus). We seek to learn from His life and teachings, striving to live as He did. However, this endeavor can only be pursued earnestly when we are filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit). Jesus instructs us to deny ourselves, relinquishing our desires, attachments to worldly things, and the false identities we find within them. Taking up the cross daily may seem demanding and intense. After all, didn't Yeshua die on the cross? Indeed, He did. And we, too, are called to embrace that death metaphorically, bidding farewell to our sinful inclinations daily until our physical death arrives. (ROMANS 6:3-12).
“Letting go of our “flesh,” our natural sinful desires, is a crucial aspect. These desires often evoke shame, anger, resentment, or disgust. Sometimes they even provide temporary pleasure or a sense of release, making them feel “natural” to us.
But how do we distinguish what is truly “sinful”? And why should we resist it if it seems “natural”? It can be perplexing, especially when the consequences of our actions aren’t immediately apparent or when our moral compass doesn’t align with the teachings of the Bible.
If you find yourself in this situation and yet continue reading, I want to express my gratitude for your open-mindedness. Moreover, if you sense a gentle tug on your heart or a whisper in your conscience, perhaps you already resonate with the principles of biblical morality. It’s worth considering. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy, warns of a “seared conscience.” By persisting in sin and ignoring that inner guidance, we risk losing our sensitivity to what is right, blunting our conscience in the process.
Remember, even in moments of moral ambiguity, God’s guiding hand extends to us, calling us back to the path of truth and righteousness, just as the father lovingly embraced the prodigal son who returned home.”
The Meaning Behind Sin:Som what defines sin? Well, simply put, the Bible defines sin as lawlessness.
4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin IS lawlessness.” 1JOHN 3:4
Some Christians today reject God's law, while others accept only the Ten Commandments. The topic of the law's applicability and its changes is extensive, but personally, I believe that everything decreed by God is good and righteous. While I don't advocate legalism or mere adherence to rituals, as I seek God's presence, I find myself convicted of aligning with His laws.
Embracing Grace: Here's the incredible part: when we are found in Christ, covered by His righteous and holy blood (COLOSSIANS 1:13-20) we enter into grace and are judged separately from the law. However, this doesn't give us a license to purposefully break God's laws or live lawlessly (ROMANS 6; GALATIANS 5:16-26) nstead, we should measure our worthiness and righteousness not by our ability to perfectly adhere to The Way, which Jesus exemplified, but rather by Jesus' own sinless life. Our faith in Jesus as the sacrificial offering for our sins allows our obedience to the law to be considered righteous works, guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God Himself.
The Path to Eternal Life: Jesus further explains, "...whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." If we strive to preserve our earthly lives, clinging tightly to worldly treasures, money, relationships, and temporary joys, we risk forfeiting eternal life. However, by willingly sacrificing these transient pursuits, we discover the key to everlasting life in His kingdom. Though not everyone is required to give up everything they love, sometimes we must surrender our goals, dreams, and even relationships. Although such sacrifices can be challenging, in due time, the fruits of our obedience will manifest. Yahweh promises that the treasures of heaven surpass anything Earth can offer since they are imperishable, unlike the fleeting nature of earthly possessions and ambitions MATTHEW 6:19-21; 1TIMOTHY 6:17-19; 1PETER 1:4
The Test of Faith: Periodically, our hearts are tested. Will we remain faithful to God and trust that His plan surpasses our own? Can we find the courage to let go of people or things when He asks us to? Regardless of whether we perfectly discern His voice or occasionally miss the mark, as long as we maintain faith in our hearts and diligently strive to follow His will, we can rest assured that "we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" ROMANS 8:28
Thank you for joining me on this journey of exploration. Stay tuned for PART 3 next week, and if you haven't already, feel free to revisit PART 1. Remember, embracing the cross is about discovering life's true purpose, surrendering our own desires, and following in the footsteps of Yeshua. May your path be filled with inspiration, wisdom, and the abiding presence of God.
Shalom!
(Below I’ve listed a few songs that really spoke to me as I was writing this piece, in case you’re needing a little extra lifting up I suggest putting them on your playlist and tuning in!)