Is the "cross I bear" always the instrument of my salvation?

Question

Jesus bore a cross all the way up the hill to his own crucifixion. It was a heavy burden, but through that act he was transformed. It was not until that final moment--the moment he hit bottom--that he became the Christ. Does it not follow that the common phrase "the cross I bear" also refers to the instrument of one's salvation? For example, isn't alcohol and drug addiction the instrument with which one attains spiritual enlightenment?

In response to Hannah:

This is both a theological and narrative question. I'm drawing from the "popular" version of the myth, which may differ from your reading. Some versions of the Jesus story have him declaring his godliness from the start. Some interpretations might assume that, because the messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament, Christ's identity was preordained and thus he always was the Christ. But the "popular" version, as I understand it, has Christ denied by the people until his final moment on the cross. Even his disciple denies him. I think, in one version, he denies him three times. Again, though, this is my understanding of the "popular" myth and not the writing itself.

I want to stress that you're not "wrong." I'm just explaining my interpretation.

In a narrative, the main character might become a hero at any point. His destiny might be predicted. But he isn't a "hero" until others recognize him as such. The predicted transformation must take place.

Hmmm...I'm more interested here in the use of language and the relationship between Christian symbolism/common dialogue.

I may have bit off more than I can chew.

Answer 1

It's the sufferings, shame, or torture experienced because of being a follower of Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

No! Christ had no need of being 'saved'. He was sinless, and was resurrected by his Father, Jehovah God. The idea that Jesus died on a cross is itself a pagan myth ...
http://www.watchtower.org/e/200604a/article_01.htm

The Gospel accounts all use the Greek word stau·ros' when referring to the instrument of execution on which Christ Jesus died. (Mt 27:40; Ma 15:30; Lu 23:26; Joh 19:17,19,25) The word stau·ros' refers to an upright pole, stake, or post. The book The Non-Christian Cross, by J. D. Parsons, explains: “There is not a single sentence in any of the numerous writings forming the New Testament, which, in the original Greek, bears even indirect evidence to the effect that the stauros used in the case of Jesus was other than an ordinary stauros; much less to the effect that it consisted, not of one piece of timber, but of two pieces nailed together in the form of a cross." At Acts 5:30, the word xy'lon, meaning “tree,” is used as a synonym for stau·ros', denoting an ordinary piece of upright timber or tree, rather than a two-beamed cross. - Quite some time before the Christian era, crosses were used in ancient Babylonia as symbols in the worship of Tammuz, the pagan fertility god. From there, the use of the cross spread. Centuries later, the Israelites even adulterated their worship of Jehovah God by thus venerating the false god Tammuz. This form of worship is refered to in the Bible as a 'detestable thing'. Ez 8:13,14

Salvation is Certainly not linked to the instrument used to Kill the Messiah! It is Only properly linked to the Value of his perfect human sacrifice. Certainly Not to a pagan fertility god's worship!! Jehovah could Never allow such a thing!
Just think of the implications ... !

Why Does God Permit Suffering? :
- The Problem of Human Suffering
- - What of the Future?
- God's Permission of Suffering Nears Its End
- - The Gift of Free Will
- - Whose Law? - - What Went Wrong?
> - The Main Issue--Sovereignty <
- - God's Sovereignty Asserted ...
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2001/5/15/article_01.htm

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Answer 3

If I am understanding your question correctly, you are equating mental, physical, or emotional dis-ability to carrying a burden, and equating it to the burden of the cross. It could be, for some people. The pastor who wrote "Amazing Grace" Started life out as a merchant marine, living a very rough life of drinking, gambling, whoreing, and heaven only knows what else. Then he was out to sea in a bad storm, and had an epiphany about how far he had sunk in the way he was living his life. So he struck a bargain with God, and said, as people often do in this sort of situation, that if God would get him out of this, he would turn his life over and mend his way. In this particular situation, he was true to his word, and as soon as he got to dry land, he became a minister, and turned his life over to God. Some people just have to hit rock bottom in thier lives, before they can find themselves, and a relationship with the God of thier personal understanding. I'm not sure I would use the word "always" though. But sometimes.

Answer 4

I'm not sure I follow you. For instance, Jesus became the Christ - or the anointed - long before he went up that hill. At his baptism, he was anointed - that is when he became the Christ.

Moreover, it is not 'the cross" that is our instrument of salvation. The torture stake was merely the method by which he was put to death. It is his perfect sacrifice of his perfect human life that provides salvation.

So, no, it does not follow . . .

Hannah J Paul

Answer 5

no - the cross you bear has nothing to do with your salvation - that would mean you must do something for salvation - Jesus did all the work we just need to accept His work and follow Him
Jesus did not become the Christ at the cross He completed His work and fulfilled prophesy by dying on the cross
our cross to bear are trials that God can use to help us grow in our spiritual life but that does not earn our salvation

Answer 6

No, the instrument of our salvation is always Jesus Christ.
But you are correct that for believers trials like addictions can lead to a greater spiritual understanding. God bless!

Answer 7

"For example, isn't alcohol and drug addiction the instrument with which one attains spiritual enlightenment?"

Or, a pitiful and pathetic death.

Answer 8

never unless u follow the meaning of that cross and trust god and follow him and do all what he said and....... (all that religious stuff u are supposed to do).. that piecce of steel can never save any one who cant save itself

Answer 9

No, it's how the jeweller is paying the rent!