On Luke 9:23 when it says: "...[To follow Christ] he must deny himself and take up his cross each day and follow me." But what does it mean to "take up our cross and follow Jesus"? We can't suffer through a Roman crucifixion the same way Jesus did now in 2007 so what does it mean?
2007-01-11 14:07:53 · 15 answers · asked by osunumberonefan 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Do you not have day to day things that challenge you?
Saying no to excessive drinking, smoking, drugs. Saying no to certain urges, pornography. Thinking with a clear head. Saying the right words or just simply holding your tongue. Just a few things... Oh. Get use to being called a nut and a crazy. Be content and be a good responsible with that which God grants you in this lifetime. Avoid being an ego maniac.
I am a guy so there are very well known urges I will not list that I face everyday that I must not do. They are not illegal. They are just morally wrong. And it is hard to do. The whole trying to be "good" thing. We all have burdens and my urges are my burdens. That is my cross. My short comings and my immoral urges.
2007-01-11 14:15:18 · answer #1 · answered by Noodles 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes - you must be crucified by the Romans - NOT
In the same way Jesus died for us - being a Christian means others will persecute you - in the end of time if you have withstood all the persecution and claim Jesus is the Son of God - you reward will be a home in Heaven.
Don't think these atheist persecute Christians - stick around - they are great Satan followers - but they do not always win - and the secret is - they loose big time in the end!
2007-01-11 22:16:44 · answer #2 · answered by Gladiator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To Take up your cross daily, simply means...Out of Love, Jesus Christ gave His life for all humanity. We are to do everything we do, out of this same Love, that Jesus Christ has for us. Don't just profess Christianity, but live it, be an example to the world as Christ is our example. Whether good or bad befalls us, we are to continue in our walk with Christ Jesus and never give up. I hope this explanation helps you to understand the meaning behind this.
God Bless You....Peace.
2007-01-11 22:30:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you may want to understand that according to the word of god there is no such thing as a protestant christian,and if you get caught up in all of the foolish-non scriptural ideas-that mankind has had,there will only be increasing confusion. The word of god states that no prophecy of the Scriptures is of any private interpretation; therefore the answer is,the one that god through the holy spirit gives;any other is only carnal minded opinions of men.
2007-01-11 22:24:39 · answer #4 · answered by AL B SURE 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously this is figurative language.
The passage deals with Christ's attitude towards life and service to God and humankind. His entire purpose (life's mission on earth) was to provide salvation for the human race through self-sacrifice. He willingly gave up any selfish motivations, in order to do the will of God (Father).
We should take Jesus' attitude of selflessness and service to God, and apply this in our own lives, knowing that in some of this service, there may well be abject humiliation, pain, suffering, and death (our own). It's a scary thought.
2007-01-11 22:20:44 · answer #5 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians interpret "take up your cross" as take up your obligation, make sacrifices in your life to do God's will. The cross is symbolic, not just of the crucifixion, but also of the hardships Christians endure for their faith.
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2007-01-11 22:14:34 · answer #6 · answered by cirque de lune 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
And what do you think Christians are doing on this website, twiddling our thumbs? Some of us are in real pain and suffer to see His name being slandered and mocked. Taking up the cross is being humble even when we are misunderstood, and accused and laughed and spit at. We carry a burden for humanity as He did.
2007-01-11 22:18:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus pictures His disciples as condemned to death and carrying their crosses along with Him to the place of crucifixion. We must live dead to self-centeredness to them all: Not only the Twelve, but to all who would follow Him.
2007-01-11 22:14:27 · answer #8 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means to do the same thing as Jesus in the sense that his primary assignment was to obey his father and to teach others the truth about his father. Taking up the torture stake is symbolic (as Jesus only used illustrations to teach), of people that follow him were to put aside their self pursuits, and dedicate their lives with the primary objective of teaching others the truth.
2007-01-11 22:10:28 · answer #9 · answered by Tim 47 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's probably open for debate, but I personally think it means to "die to self" and live for Christ. Plainly speaking, trust the Word of God regarding how you should live your life and make decisions. Don't trust your own understanding of what "feels" right. You know, stuff like that.
2007-01-11 22:17:11 · answer #10 · answered by nancy jo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋