Take up your cross and follow Me” {Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23}?
“Are you willing” to follow Jesus Christ at all cost, even if it means losing some of your closest friends, alienation from your family, the loss of your reputation, if it means losing your job, or if it means losing your very life?
In some places of the world, these consequences are reality. But notice the quote “Are you willing?” Following Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean all these things will happen to you, but are you willing to take up your cross and follow Christ? If there comes a point in your life where you are faced with a choice—Jesus or the comforts of this life—which will you choose?
2. How happy are the saints above,
Who once went sorr’wing here!
But now they taste unmingled love,
And joy without a tear.
3. The consecrated cross I’ll bear
Till death shall set me free;
And then go home my crown to wear,
For there’s a crown for me.
5. O precious cross! O glorious crown!
O resurrection day!
When Christ the Lord from heav’n comes down
And bears my soul away.