What the Bible says about Take Up Our Cross

Matthew 10:38

Christ calls us to take up our cross and follow His example. This call is not so much a call to martyrdom as a command to deny self or, crucify the flesh, even to the point of death. We must be prepared to die, if that is where the course of events leads, but in most cases it is not so much literal martyrdom as it is to have the attitude of self-denial that is willing to give up all. Christ's disciples live to serve God, not self. Paul admonishes us to put off our former conduct and put to death our sinful actions.

Martin G. Collins
Overcoming (Part 5): Self-Denial

Luke 14:26-27

When embarking on a quest, we must first "count the cost," as these verses are often labeled. In verse 28, Christ speaks of a building project, and before he starts, the intelligent builder sits down and figures out what it will cost. Does he have enough to finish it? He also uses the illustration of a king going to war. He must first look at his resources and ask if his 10,000 men can conquer the enemy with 20,000.

About these verses, commentator Matthew Henry points out that "we must consider the expenses of our religion." Expensive means "involving a high price or sacrifice." Is our calling worth our jobs, our families, our lives? Have we truly counted the cost?

Have we ever wanted something and then decided it would take too much effort to acquire it? Ultimately, we decided it was not worth it; it was just too expensive! Maybe we desired something and were willing to move heaven and earth to get it. We would work long hours, perhaps take on another job, study, skip meals, lose sleep—we would do whatever it took.

Where does the Kingdom of God fit? Is it "not worth the effort," or does it merit the sacrifices?

Now, we cannot "earn" our salvation. Remember, however, that Christ says in Luke 9:62, "Anyone who starts plowing and keeps looking back isn't worth a thing to God's Kingdom." Once we start down this road to the Kingdom, we must keep moving forward and not look back. We are all aware that salvation is a gift and not earned by any works, but we should also know that God requires our complete obedience and cooperation to receive this gift (see John 14:15; I Corinthians 7:19; Matthew 19:17; I John 2:4; 3:4; 5:2-3; etc.).

In Matthew 10:34-39, Christ warns His disciples that persecution will come and that they will have to make hard choices:

Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

In some cases, to answer God's call will involve leaving family and friends behind, perhaps symbolically, perhaps literally.

Mike Ford
How Expensive Is Your Religion? (Part One)