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†– Luke 9:23
When Christ calls a person,†wrote Dietrich Bonhoeffer before his death in a German concentration camp, “he calls him to come and die.†Bonhoeffer, implicated in a plot to depose Hitler, was executed. While God calls a few to literally lay down their lives, He calls us to die to self so that Christ’s life may be seen in us.
What does it mean to take up His cross? It means you relinquish control of your life to God. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible let this cup pass from me – yet it must not be what I want, but what you want†(Matthew 26:39 Phillips).
When you accept Jesus as your Savior, you learn quickly that He isn’t content being your life’s co-pilot; He wants to fly the plane. He doesn’t force you out of the pilot’s seat. He assumes that responsibility at your invitation.
George Muller trusted God for thousands of orphans entrusted to his care in England. When asked the secret of his great work, Muller said there was a day when he died to George Muller. That is, his opinions and preferences died to the world’s approval – and since then he has devoted himself to be approved by God alone.
Bill and Vonette Bright, founders of Campus Crusade for Christ, felt similarly. Early in their married life, they drew up a legal document listing all their possessions and assigned ownership of these to Jesus Christ.
How about you, friend? Who is in charge of your life? A cross means a fork in the road, and when you have reached yours and chosen to follow Jesus Christ, your life will never be the same.
Used with permission from Guidelines Philippines, Inc. To learn more about Guidelines and the ministry, please write to Box 4000, 1280 Makati City, Philippines or e-mail address box4000@guidelines.org. You may also visit our website at www.guidelines.org.