In Matthew 10:38, the Lord Jesus said, “Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.” The same statement appears in Mark 8:34: “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.‘” Every believer who decides to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus and follow him must deny themselves and take up their cross every day. This is the cost or standard Jesus declared from the beginning for anyone who decides to become a believer, a disciple, and to follow him. This cost or standard does not arise later after one becomes a Christian or in the middle of discipleship and service. In reality, many Christians fall away and abandon their Christian faith. Many servants of God also withdraw from various ministries for various reasons.
When a Christian abandons Christianity, they are not merely leaving a set of beliefs; they have abandoned the God who called them. Likewise, when servants of God step back from ministry for various reasons, they are not merely leaving ministry but have forgotten the God who called them to serve. Jesus never promised that a believer’s sky, or that of his followers, would always be clear and cloudless. Instead, dense clouds may constantly loom. Jesus also never promised that the believer’s path would always be smooth and free of obstacles. Rather, it can be rocky, hot, and far from comfortable. Saying this does not mean believers who follow Jesus will always face suffering, misery, and difficulty. Yet declaring oneself a disciple of Jesus must be tested, validated, and proven.
So, when one’s walk with the Lord is disturbed, they need sensitivity to recognize that the event may test whether they continue following the Lord or turn back. When ministry becomes a disturbance rather than a place of encouragement, we again need sensitivity to see the situation as a testing ground that strengthens one’s discipleship. As noted previously, when someone loves God with all their heart, soul, and mind, nothing—whether in personal life or in ministry—will deter them from continuing to follow him. They will remain steadfast and bring peace even when facing deadly attacks. They will not be shaken even if those around them force them to scream. They do all this because they love God.
Therefore, for those who love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, self-denial and bearing the cross are not burdens, suffering, or threats, but life. A Christian finds true life when they deny themselves and take up their cross daily. Denying self means breaking the self and strengthening God in their life. They no longer pursue their own agenda but live out God’s agenda. “Your will, Lord,” not “my will.” Bearing the cross points to the willingness to carry burdens for the sake of others’ salvation. Thus, when someone forgives, pardons, and forgets the wrongs done to them, they are bearing a cross. They do so that another will not perish but may be saved through the believer’s godly life. This is truly living life.