WHAT DOES TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW DAILY MEAN?

joaniemarie · Oct 23, 2017

What did Jesus mean when He said in Luke 9:23 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" I used to believe this meant a hard and gloomy life filled with hooking onto a yoke of disappointments and sadness here on earth because we are supposed to daily die. But thankfully I've discovered it means something MUCH different.

Here are 2 different interpretations. Which one are you in agreement with.

[FONT=&quot]Interpretation #1: Jesus is preaching self-denial[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Following Christ is all about self-denial and going without. If you are not in the daily habit of denying your appetites and desires, you are not a real Christian. The more you deny your needs and wants, the holier you’ll be. So fast everyday and you’ll be just like Jesus.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
There’s a problem with this interpretation. Abstaining from food, Facebook, or fun won’t make you righteous and holy. (It might make you religious.) This message of self-denial is nothing more than the ancient practice of asceticism dressed up in religious jargon. It is a message that promotes Pharisaical self-righteousness and DIY religiosity.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Another problem with this interpretation is it will leave you anxious and insecure. “Have I denied myself enough?” You can never know. So you’d better deny yourself some more, just to be safe. “Don’t touch, don’t handle, don’t taste.” Pretty soon you’ll be whipping yourself and asking your friends to crucify you for the Easter parade.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Jesus did not suffer and die on the cross so you could join him in suffering. That’s not good news. Jesus died so that we might be free from this sort of dead and useless religion.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Interpretation #2: Jesus is showing us the way to salvation[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
And who is the way? Jesus. When Jesus says, “Follow me,” he’s saying the way to salvation is through him and his cross.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me… (Gal 2:20a)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
The reason most Christians struggle to live the Christian life is they do not know they have died with Christ. Yet Paul says so again and again. To the Christians in Colossae; “You died with Christ” (Col 2:20). To the believers in Rome: “We died with Christ” (Rom 6:8). To the Corinthians: “We died” (2 Cor 5:14).[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
When you were baptized or placed into Christ, you were baptized into his death (Rom 6:3). This may be the single most important thing that ever happened to you, yet many Christians are unaware of it. And since they don’t know that they died, they are constantly trying to die.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
The gospel declares, “You died.” You have been crucified with Christ. The person you used to be – dead in sins and alienated from the life of God – no longer lives, but Christ lives in you.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
“But if I died with Christ already, why does Jesus say we must take up our cross daily?”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
First of all, note that the word daily is only found once in the three accounts of Jesus’ words. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and…[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
…take up his cross and follow me. (Matt 16:24)

…take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

…take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Why does Luke record the word “daily” when Matthew and Mark do not? “Luke is wrong,” says Adam Clarke. “Or at least our English translations of Luke are wrong, for the word ‘daily’ is not in some of the original manuscripts.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Adam Clarke may be right. I wouldn’t know. I don’t have the original manuscripts. But for the sake of argument, let’s assume Mr. Clarke is wrong and our English Bibles are correct. What then?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Why does Luke say “daily”?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
My view is that Luke is on the same page as Matthew and Mark but he is emphasizing something to make a point. Luke isn’t contradicting Matthew and Mark; he’s saying the same thing with gusto: we ought to appreciate the finished work of the cross every day.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
When I get out of bed in the morning and put my feet on the floor, my left foot says, “Thank you, Jesus,” and my right foot says, “For
the cross.” It’s because you have died with Christ that you now live in union with him. This is a great treasure and not something to take for granted.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
“Paul, are you saying that if I stop valuing the cross I’ll lose my salvation?”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Not at all! I’m saying if you have been born of the spirit, learn to walk by the spirit. We don’t die daily – once will do the trick – and we don’t get born again every day. But every day we make this choice: Will I walk after the flesh or after the spirit?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
An example: Say you hear a message that says you need to fast and pray to become spiritually mature, so you decide to fast and pray. Bam! You are no longer walking by the spirit. You are no longer trusting in the grace of God. Rather, you are trusting in your own fasting and praying performance to make you mature. Where does the Lord fit in this picture? He doesn’t, and that’s the problem. Dead religion is a faithless way to live.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
“Walking after the flesh” doesn’t necessarily mean running around getting drunk and doing bad stuff. For the Christian, the flesh takes on the subtler guise of good works, duty, and self-improvement.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]

What does it mean to die to self?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
There is nothing wrong with the phrase “die to self.” The problem is we read it through religious lenses instead of gospel lenses. We think, “I have to stop being who God made me to be. I have to pretend I’m somebody else – someone who doesn’t enjoy wine, one woman, and song.” That’s a dehumanizing doctrine of demons.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
God made you unique. He gave you good dreams and good desires that no one else has. When you suppress your God-given dreams and desires, the world is impoverished.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
“Die to self” means “Trust Jesus instead of self.” It means live each and every day out of the glorious relationship you have with the Lord. It means, don’t fall back to the inferior ways of the flesh that you walked in when you were a sinner or religious, but stand firm in the freedom of Christ.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
This is the point Luke was trying to make. The trusting life is an adventure. It’s good to remind yourself daily that “God is for me. How can I fail?” Conscious of your loving Father’s acceptance and approval, you will soar on eagles’ wings. And when you apprehend, by faith, the inexhaustible riches of his grace, the whole world benefits.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Why would you want to waste one single day living any other way? Why crawl when you can fly?[/FONT]

Blain · Oct 23, 2017

For me in many of my conversations with father I speak of the cross I carry usually it's a problem or a storm that is simply to heavy for me to carry alone and I often times will ask of him to help me bear the cross I carry. A lot of times we place crosses on ourselves unnecessarily when Jesus is more than capable of carrying it for us and even worse we often times try to carry it on our own. A friend of mine is constantly stressed and angry she never feels good because of it and it's because she won't listen and continues to shoulder everything on her own and I often tell how that even Jesus needed help to carry his cross and he was God.

It is only because I have learned the freedom of not bearing my own cross by myself that I understand why Jesus needed help to carry his, it wasn't that he couldn't I mean he is God had we asked father would filled him with life and with strength. No, the reason he purposely made himself go through that and require help to carry it was to show an example.

Hizikyah · Oct 23, 2017

It means to live for Him doing His will;

Luke 6:46, "And why call Me; Ruler! Ruler! and do not the things which I say?"

John/Yahanan 10:27-30, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; neither will any man snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who gave them to Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand: I and My Father are in accord."

Romans 12:1-2, “I call upon you, therefore, brothers, through the compassion of Yah, to present your bodies a living offering; set-apart, well-pleasing to Yah, your reasonable worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of Yah.”

2 Timothy 2:21, "If, then, anyone cleanses himself from these matters, he shall be a vessel unto value, having been set apart, of good use to the Master, having been prepared for every good work."

Psalm 105:4, "Seek יהוה and His strength; Seek His face always."

Romans 12:11, "not idle in duty, ardent in spirit, serving the Master;"

joaniemarie · Oct 23, 2017

I agree with the writer on this.

if you have been born of the spirit, learn to walk by the spirit. We don’t die daily – once will do the trick – and we don’t get born again every day. But every day we make this choice: Will I walk after the flesh or after the spirit?

“Die to self” means “Trust Jesus instead of self.” It means live each and every day out of the glorious relationship you have with the Lord. It means, don’t fall back to the inferior ways of the flesh that you walked in when you were a sinner or religious, but stand firm in the freedom of Christ.

joaniemarie · Oct 23, 2017

Hizikyah said:

It means to live for Him doing His will;

Luke 6:46, "And why call Me; Ruler! Ruler! and do not the things which I say?"

John/Yahanan 10:27-30, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; neither will any man snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who gave them to Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand: I and My Father are in accord."

Romans 12:1-2, “I call upon you, therefore, brothers, through the compassion of Yah, to present your bodies a living offering; set-apart, well-pleasing to Yah, your reasonable worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of Yah.”

2 Timothy 2:21, "If, then, anyone cleanses himself from these matters, he shall be a vessel unto value, having been set apart, of good use to the Master, having been prepared for every good work."

Psalm 105:4, "Seek יהוה and His strength; Seek His face always."

Romans 12:11, "not idle in duty, ardent in spirit, serving the Master;"

I see the living sacrifice goes along with Gal.2:20 It ties it all together.

Jackson123 · Oct 23, 2017

joaniemarie said:

no is not gloomy and sadnesss. Deny himself and take up the cross, make us close to Him and happier than become slave of sin.

Young people say, let do a have a fun, do a free sex, and drug. I know people doing drug and free sex, he told me his life is not happy, full of sadness.

Deny my yourself for Jesus is a key to happy life.

joaniemarie · Oct 23, 2017

Jackson123 said:

That is what I said if you finished reading the post. I think some people are just bound and determined to argue even when there is nothing to argue about. I'll post the rest for you.....

“Die to self” means “Trust Jesus instead of self.” It means live each and every day out of the glorious relationship you have with the Lord. It means, don’t fall back to the inferior ways of the flesh that you walked in when you were a sinner or religious, but stand firm in the freedom of Christ.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me… (Gal 2:20a)

The reason most Christians struggle to live the Christian life is they do not know they have died with Christ. Yet Paul says so again and again. To the Christians in Colossae; “You died with Christ” (Col 2:20). To the believers in Rome: “We died with Christ” (Rom 6:8). To the Corinthians: “We died” (2 Cor 5:14).

Must we ask God to crucify us? Never! When Christ was crucified we were crucified; and his crucifixion is past therefore ours cannot be future… That we have died in Christ is not merely a doctrinal position, it is an eternal and indisputable fact.

MattforJesus · Oct 23, 2017

I believe it means that whatever God has for your life in how He would like you to labor for the kingdom of God,then do that,and endure it no matter how tough it can be,but you will have help from the Spirit.

For God has a different work for all the saints,in different ministries,different areas on earth,and different degrees of opposition of that labor by people.

Deny yourself,and take up your cross,and do what God has planned for you life,not what you have planned for your life.

Preparing the way of the Lord to get Israel ready for when Jesus starts His ministry,was the cross for John the Baptist,and many were against him,and he was beheaded.

Mary believing the angel,and obeying God,and giving birth to the Savior,was the cross for Mary.

Preaching the Gospel,and being crucified on a cross,was the cross for Jesus.

Being a disciple,and given the keys to the kingdom of heaven,and preaching the first sermon to get the Church going,and the first person added to the Church,was the cross for Peter,and the rest of the disciples,and what God had for them,was the cross for them.

Paul going to the Gentiles to preach the Gospel,and suffering many things for the kingdom,was the cross for Paul.

People being sent to be missionaries,and evangelists,and preachers,and teachers,and prophets,is the cross for them.

What ever God has planned for our life to labor for the kingdom of God,and to endure it no matter how tough it can be,is the cross to us.

Because all who live godly will suffer persecution,some more than others,so deny yourself,not what you have planned out for your life,and take up your cross,what God has planned for your life,and endure it no matter how tough it can be,and no matter how much opposition is against you.

Jesus' cross was the cross,and He had much opposition,and we must take up our cross,and endure the opposition that will come against us.

Paul suffered many things for the kingdom,which might have been for persecuting the truth at one time,but Paul was also bold and could handle it,for he used to be a Pharisee of Pharisees,and more zealous of the traditions of the fathers than many Pharisees.

joaniemarie · Oct 23, 2017

There is a wealth of information that we can learn from and we should. We are no longer in Adam so we are no longer called sinners but saints. I like the way this writer explained how we can walk by the Spirit when we are aware of who we are IN Christ. And He will enable us to do the will of God through the power of the Spirit in our new man in the HERE AND NOW. We are empowered to live with HIM in the here and now.

If you think you are still in Adam, then the best you can hope for is to be a decent sinner. But when you know that you died with Christ, you will be empowered to live with Him here and now (2 Tim 2:11).

Because of the cross you have new desires and new aspirations. You used to be driven by the flesh but now you are led by the spirit (Gal 5:18). You used to work to prove yourself but now you are compelled by the love of Christ (2 Cor 5:14). Strangely, you are both more rested and more fruitful than you have ever been before.

joaniemarie · Oct 23, 2017

This is again more of what the OP is saying. I'm so very thankful for those who are much more fluent in writing than I. It's very wonderful to read what my heart has learned from my own study and then to read it from others who have also learned these amazing truths of Gal.2:20 And how the JOY of the Lord is our strength. And it always comes back to the love of God IN Christ. It's always about being compelled by the love of Jesus and constrained by the love of Jesus.

And not only that but the whole leading issue of how the Good Shepherd never drives the sheep but He leads them. It all ties together in the Bible line upon line as we compare Scripture with Scripture.

Because of the cross you have new desires and new aspirations. You used to be driven by the flesh but now you are led by the spirit (Gal 5:18). You used to work to prove yourself but now you are compelled by the love of Christ (2 Cor 5:14). Strangely, you are both more rested and more fruitful than you have ever been before.

PJW · Oct 23, 2017

joaniemarie said:

Interpretation #2: Jesus is showing us the way to salvation

And who is the way? Jesus. When Jesus says, “Follow me,” he’s saying the way to salvation is through him and his cross.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me… (Gal 2:20a)

The reason most Christians struggle to live the Christian life is they do not know they have died with Christ. Yet Paul says so again and again. To the Christians in Colossae; “You died with Christ” (Col 2:20). To the believers in Rome: “We died with Christ” (Rom 6:8). To the Corinthians: “We died” (2 Cor 5:14).

When you were baptized or placed into Christ, you were baptized into his death (Rom 6:3). This may be the single most important thing that ever happened to you, yet many Christians are unaware of it. And since they don’t know that they died, they are constantly trying to die.

The gospel declares, “You died.” You have been crucified with Christ. The person you used to be – dead in sins and alienated from the life of God – no longer lives, but Christ lives in you.

I agree with Int' 2.

joaniemarie · Oct 23, 2017

MattforJesus said:

The sufferings I read about are about learning how to walk by faith and not by sight. The struggle to look further than our own limitations and to trust apart from ourselves. To do that transfer over to the Spirit learning to walk in the obedience of faith. And not walking according to our old manner of living that our flesh knew and was so familiar with.

When opposition from the world, the flesh and the devil come., we believers have been given all we need to stand our ground because Jesus won the ground for us. We battle FROM victory not FOR victory and that makes all the difference in the world when we know that. Jesus gave us the victory., now we must learn to walk by faith in His finished work.

When we resist the devil he must flee. And we do it by grace through faith. That is not how we first learned to walk or survive. It's a whole new life. Amen!!

joaniemarie · Oct 23, 2017

PJW said:

Same here.

Speak2Me · Oct 23, 2017

joaniemarie said:

What did Jesus mean when He said in Luke 9:23 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" I used to believe this meant a hard and gloomy life filled with hooking onto a yoke of disappointments and sadness here on earth because we are supposed to daily die. But thankfully I've discovered it means something MUCH different.

Here are 2 different interpretations. Which one are you in agreement with.

Interpretation #1: Jesus is preaching self-denial
Following Christ is all about self-denial and going without. If you are not in the daily habit of denying your appetites and desires, you are not a real Christian. The more you deny your needs and wants, the holier you’ll be. So fast everyday and you’ll be just like Jesus.

There’s a problem with this interpretation. Abstaining from food, Facebook, or fun won’t make you righteous and holy. (It might make you religious.) This message of self-denial is nothing more than the ancient practice of asceticism dressed up in religious jargon. It is a message that promotes Pharisaical self-righteousness and DIY religiosity.

Another problem with this interpretation is it will leave you anxious and insecure. “Have I denied myself enough?” You can never know. So you’d better deny yourself some more, just to be safe. “Don’t touch, don’t handle, don’t taste.” Pretty soon you’ll be whipping yourself and asking your friends to crucify you for the Easter parade.

Jesus did not suffer and die on the cross so you could join him in suffering. That’s not good news. Jesus died so that we might be free from this sort of dead and useless religion.

Interpretation #2: Jesus is showing us the way to salvation

And who is the way? Jesus. When Jesus says, “Follow me,” he’s saying the way to salvation is through him and his cross.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me… (Gal 2:20a)

The reason most Christians struggle to live the Christian life is they do not know they have died with Christ. Yet Paul says so again and again. To the Christians in Colossae; “You died with Christ” (Col 2:20). To the believers in Rome: “We died with Christ” (Rom 6:8). To the Corinthians: “We died” (2 Cor 5:14).

When you were baptized or placed into Christ, you were baptized into his death (Rom 6:3). This may be the single most important thing that ever happened to you, yet many Christians are unaware of it. And since they don’t know that they died, they are constantly trying to die.

The gospel declares, “You died.” You have been crucified with Christ. The person you used to be – dead in sins and alienated from the life of God – no longer lives, but Christ lives in you.

“But if I died with Christ already, why does Jesus say we must take up our cross daily?”

First of all, note that the word daily is only found once in the three accounts of Jesus’ words. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and…

…take up his cross and follow me. (Matt 16:24)

…take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

…take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

Why does Luke record the word “daily” when Matthew and Mark do not? “Luke is wrong,” says Adam Clarke. “Or at least our English translations of Luke are wrong, for the word ‘daily’ is not in some of the original manuscripts.”

Adam Clarke may be right. I wouldn’t know. I don’t have the original manuscripts. But for the sake of argument, let’s assume Mr. Clarke is wrong and our English Bibles are correct. What then?

Why does Luke say “daily”?

My view is that Luke is on the same page as Matthew and Mark but he is emphasizing something to make a point. Luke isn’t contradicting Matthew and Mark; he’s saying the same thing with gusto: we ought to appreciate the finished work of the cross every day.

When I get out of bed in the morning and put my feet on the floor, my left foot says, “Thank you, Jesus,” and my right foot says, “For
the cross.” It’s because you have died with Christ that you now live in union with him. This is a great treasure and not something to take for granted.

“Paul, are you saying that if I stop valuing the cross I’ll lose my salvation?”

Not at all! I’m saying if you have been born of the spirit, learn to walk by the spirit. We don’t die daily – once will do the trick – and we don’t get born again every day. But every day we make this choice: Will I walk after the flesh or after the spirit?

An example: Say you hear a message that says you need to fast and pray to become spiritually mature, so you decide to fast and pray. Bam! You are no longer walking by the spirit. You are no longer trusting in the grace of God. Rather, you are trusting in your own fasting and praying performance to make you mature. Where does the Lord fit in this picture? He doesn’t, and that’s the problem. Dead religion is a faithless way to live.

“Walking after the flesh” doesn’t necessarily mean running around getting drunk and doing bad stuff. For the Christian, the flesh takes on the subtler guise of good works, duty, and self-improvement.

What does it mean to die to self?

There is nothing wrong with the phrase “die to self.” The problem is we read it through religious lenses instead of gospel lenses. We think, “I have to stop being who God made me to be. I have to pretend I’m somebody else – someone who doesn’t enjoy wine, one woman, and song.” That’s a dehumanizing doctrine of demons.

God made you unique. He gave you good dreams and good desires that no one else has. When you suppress your God-given dreams and desires, the world is impoverished.

“Die to self” means “Trust Jesus instead of self.” It means live each and every day out of the glorious relationship you have with the Lord. It means, don’t fall back to the inferior ways of the flesh that you walked in when you were a sinner or religious, but stand firm in the freedom of Christ.

This is the point Luke was trying to make. The trusting life is an adventure. It’s good to remind yourself daily that “God is for me. How can I fail?” Conscious of your loving Father’s acceptance and approval, you will soar on eagles’ wings. And when you apprehend, by faith, the inexhaustible riches of his grace, the whole world benefits.

Why would you want to waste one single day living any other way? Why crawl when you can fly?

JM, I posted your entire quote because you don't like it when we don't
BTW, this post is a quote from Escape to Reality, and the owner of the site teaches hypergrace doctrine.
JM, this is a friendly reminder to post who you're quoting from, so no one will accuse you of plagiarizing Paul Ellis's material.

Zmouth · Oct 24, 2017

Wouldn't that depend upon who someone answers the question that is asked in verse 20.
"He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? ........."

While we are at liberty to answer the question according to our conviction I wouldn't say a 'Book", nor would I say the book is asking them but rather you are being asked.

Neither would I say 'the Christ of God' cause Jesus cut the disciple Peter off when he said 'the Christ of God' and commanded them to never tell any man that thing.
[See-Revelations 20:4]

The reason I say we are all at, oops watch your step, at liberty to answer according to our conviction is based upon the justification by faith precept. That, along with understanding he commanded them to never to tell any man that thing yet the passages continues with "And he said to them all, ...."

In such, as he was speaking unto them then and not us now, he is now speaking us now and not them then by saying;
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

This is a transitional point which might be the reason for the OP question. While it is great that the when someone is renewed in the Word, and while the renewal is generally due one's recognition of an error, from my experience the renewal from an error doesn't mean that which is right will automatically fill the vacuum. Just because it isn't this doesn't necessary mean it has to be that. So I wouldn't say I agree with either of the two interpretations given in the OP.

joaniemarie · Oct 24, 2017

Zmouth said:

Wouldn't that depend upon who someone answers the question that is asked in verse 20.
"He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? ........."

While we are at liberty to answer the question according to our conviction I wouldn't say a 'Book", nor would I say the book is asking them but rather you are being asked.

Neither would I say 'the Christ of God' cause Jesus cut the disciple Peter off when he said 'the Christ of God' and commanded them to never tell any man that thing.
[See-Revelations 20:4]

The reason I say we are all at, oops watch your step, at liberty to answer according to our conviction is based upon the justification by faith precept. That, along with understanding he commanded them to never to tell any man that thing yet the passages continues with "And he said to them all, ...."

In such, as he was speaking unto them then and not us now, he is now speaking us now and not them then by saying;
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

This is a transitional point which might be the reason for the OP question. While it is great that the when someone is renewed in the Word, and while the renewal is generally due one's recognition of an error, from my experience the renewal from an error doesn't mean that which is right will automatically fill the vacuum. Just because it isn't this doesn't necessary mean it has to be that. So I wouldn't say I agree with either of the two interpretations given in the OP.

Ok Zmouth., thanks for your reply.

joaniemarie · Oct 24, 2017

Looking at this again., I find it important to remember that the death we died has already been done. What the Bible is telling the believer to do is reckon it to be so. Many believers are of the mindset we need to die daily when in fact He is calling us to recon that death to be done daily already.

As the writer in the OP Paul Ellis and others are pointing out., many Christians are trying to "do" something that has already been done by Jesus. When we reckon it to be done., we are looking to Jesus who IS the Author and finisher of our faith.

As a 59 yr. old Christian woman who has been saved since 1982., when I first heard this a few years back it stunned me no one I was sitting under the preaching of ever said this. There is always more to learn from the Bible than we first heard before. For me., that is just amazing and it lifts me up to seek out His mercies that are new every morning.

Stunnedbygrace · Oct 24, 2017

I think picking up your cross and dying daily are ongoing. It can seem gloomy as in your first interpretation because it is hard to deny myself and what the tyrant in me wants. When someone snaps at me, my first impulse is to snap back and defend myself. My first impulse is to go to war because I have not been treated (in my mind) respectfully.

When I go by that first impulse (being led by my flesh and pride of life) I am not laying down my self life for my brother. Instead, I'm acting like a tyrant who wants others to bow down to me. I'm demanding that they pay me homage.

But when He gives me small victories over my self life, the blessing that comes is so great that I can then see He has not asked me to pick up my cross and slay that tyrant to make my life gloomy but rather to free me from the chains of that tyrant who is so touchy, demanding and nitpicky.

I am fully capable of shrieking like someone pounded nails into my hands when all they did was snap at me. A person who has died to self, who I hope to one day be, is not going to demand more respect on earth than the Master did. His dying brought me life. He didn't demand respect. He wasn't touchy and full of self demanding ego. Instead He forgave my debt to give me life. Can I now go out and demand someone elses debt against me and not forgive but instead demand payment (homage to me) and expect life to come of it?

Issachar92 · Oct 24, 2017

Here is this doctrine in one sentence: Everytime you read something ya dont like, replace it with "trust in Jesus' finished work" cause thats what it really means. It doesnt mean what it says, and if you say it does, your just a legalistic pharisee (even though it was the pharisees who made the Word of God of NO EFFECT by their own traditions, hmm sounds familiar dont it?)

The word trust is 27 times in the new testament, and its important to trust God. However it dont negate all those other verses. Its both.

Look at the apostles, none of em was ballin here on earth, they were looking forward to heavenly glory.

7seasrekeyed · Oct 24, 2017

oh indeedy why does Luke say daily?

was it so Ellis could come along and say follow his understanding? I mean not every text has daily...so we get to choose, right?

NOPE, NO and NOT SO MUCH

I might be boring some folks at this point but here I go again: TAKE THE ENTIRE BIBLE INTO ACCOUNT

at any rate, the logical mind will see that picking up your cross and following Jesus will result in death to self anyway, so no daily is even needed. Jesus went to His death...people say they identify with Christ in death...but just as Jesus said that He gave His life and no one could TAKE it, we are told by Jesus to do the same...give our life and die to self...Paul said the same.

so, if we look at other books AFTER the ascension of Jesus, we find Paul talks about this alot...with NO apologies to those who imagine Jesus and Paul were not on the same page

can anyone find what Paul says about dying to self? I mean I sure know I can and he says plenty. but pick and choose Ellis decides to overlook that because it does not fit in with his 'God as the eternal benign and shadowy gift giver of blessings and moocho whatever you want if you say it often enough you will get it cause God loves everyone and He sent His Son to die an agonizing death in a shameful manner (it is believed Jesus was naked on top of everything else) and then separated Himself from His beloved Son who cried out for His Father and got no answer at that moment, but never you mind cause it's all good and God now just wants to coddle you on His lap and burp you as His eternal baby boy or girl'

Ellis is doing some heavy duty false teaching here for itching ears. he is basically mocking the holiness of God and the sacrifice of Jesus and even though it suits him and others to say Paul disagrees with Jesus, it suits him to QUOTE Jesus when it is convenient.

seriously: anyone want to post what Paul has to say about dying to self? BECAUSE THAT IS THE ACTUAL MEANING OF WHAT JESUS WAS GETTING AT

God help those who fall for this other Jesus and doctrine of demons. God help you, because this is not the gospel.

we don't 'do' anything but get down on 2 knees and acknowledge Jesus is Lord by choice rather than when forced when God lets down the final curtain

what a false misrepresentation of our Lord and Savior

aww...but you know that is not biblical and certainly not what Paul, an Apostle of Jesus said either. doesn't Ellis prefer the teaching of Paul? what? not so much here?

And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9:23

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8: 12-13
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans12: 1-2

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. I Peter 4: 1-2

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

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If you wonder if you are ready to take up your cross, consider these questions:
• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest friends?
• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family?
• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means the loss of your reputation?
• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job?
• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life?

In some places of the world, these consequences are reality. But notice the questions are phrased, “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? 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?

Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, even your very life if need be for the cause of Christ. Only if you willingly take up your cross may you be called His disciple (Luke 14:27). The reward is worth the price. Jesus followed His call of death to self (“Take up your cross and follow Me”) with the gift of life in Christ: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25-26). (source)

WHAT DOES TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW DAILY MEAN?

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